(June 17, 2003) -- Sophomore year, unlike freshmen, was filled with school, sports and schedules and not so much with adjusting to high school. “Sophomore year was the first and only typically high school year,” comments Babken Dergrigorian, “The beginning wasn’t over the end wasn’t near.” Students began to manage their timewisely in response to increased responsibilities.

Characteristic of the “sophomore surge” was an increase in work academic or otherwise. This was the year students took driver’s education, got their licenses and for some their first cars. College prep classes appeared onthe scene from biology and physical science to honors math classes, whispers of the PSAT began to circulate and counselors started preaching UC requirements. Grades sophomore year determiend elegibilty to Advanced Placement courses junior year.

Sandeep Mohan declares sophomore year to be the “turning-point” in his high school career. “My grades were really terrible as a sophomore but I learned my lesson. They motivated me try to get the grades in needed for college junior year.” Others, also remember the rigorous of their courses. Christine Ji remembers sophomore year vividly. “People say the hardest year is junior year but sophomore was a killer for me! Between the humanities and Devore for Algebra there was no break.”

Kirstin Tiffany adds with humor, “freshmen and sophomore were the hardest. I had math and P.E.” Tiffany played softball, as an underclassman, boarding the bus to C.V. every day for seventh period. Athletics, along with school, made for late nights and full weekends.

However, many look back on 2000-2001 school year with a smile.

“That year put the ‘high’ in high school!” Dergrigorian enthuses. “My friends used to hang out every day, go to parties just kick it all the time. And school was easy then too.”

Jonathan Park likewise remembers class fondly. “I drew, slept, drew somemore, watched the teachers’ mouths move.”

Tutorial for those who didn’t have sports, ASB or any other extracurricular activities was more a time to socialize than study.

Sophomore year was one the most typically high school year. Experiences from football games and school dances to field trips and chemistry labs made 2000-2001a classic.