What is a Sophomore? By: Jack Hill

            Most adults can recall vivid details from their first year of high school, freshman year, for obvious reasons of first time experiences.  The first time walking down a hallway, passing teachers and fellow classmates who look almost as old as teachers is an unforgettable moment.  Then adults recall their years as being an upperclassman basically ruling the school.  Junior and senior years are filled with memories of prom, moving up in the student section, taking the SAT/ACT and applying and visiting colleges in preparation for adulthood.

            Then there is sophomore year, otherwise known as a forgotten year or as I like to call it "the placeholder year".  As a sophomore you are at the most awkward stage of your life well into your teens but far from being an adult.  First off your excuse for being awkward can no longer be chalked up to being a freshman and you do not have the clout of being an upperclassman which means that you are stuck right in the middle of the high school hierarchy.  Instead of getting attention for being new to high school or idolized by newcomers, sophomore year represents the PSAT's and getting your permit.  Sophomore students must do well academically to maintain a solid GPA but this is unlike freshman who are learning how to study for high school classes and upperclassman who are producing grades worthy to place on a college transcript.  

            Again, sophomore year is "the placeholder year" as the milestones achieved seem to be overlooked in junior and senior year.  For example, on your 17th Birthday as a junior or senior your permit is forgotten and deemed pointless as you get your driver's license.  Unlike with a sophomoric permit, with your driver's license you can drive anywhere without anyone supervising you.  A second example of this is when you take your SAT and ACT as an upperclassman.  The PSAT is simply practice for the SAT and despite the fact that colleges may have access to high scores, colleges will not ask an applicant for PSAT scores ever.  Instead, the tests taken as a junior and senior carry the weight in the college process which deems the PSAT null and void. 

                Sophomore students typically do not experience the same emotions as freshmen, juniors, or seniors.  The second year of high school is not as memorable but at the end of the day it serves as a necessary "placeholder" to bridge the newness of freshman year to the amazing memories of junior and senior year as leaders of high school with many freedoms that go along with being an upperclassman.