Reflect on the things you’ve accomplished this semester. Did you try out for a sport and make the team? Perhaps you’ve been busy with leadership.

With Mariyam Oladele, a freshman, she’s been doing it all. So far in her freshman year, she’s been taking IB (International Baccalaureate) classes, participating in leadership, and she recently made it on to the JV Basketball team in Armijo. What’s more notable, however, is how she is keeping up her excellent grades.

Despite her making it seem easy, it isn’t all that simple, she said. “There are always times where I have to prioritize one thing over the other, especially now with finals, games, events coming up.”

She is pleased that her first year is going so well. She’s met many new people, and experienced a lot already. The part of being a freshman that is the most difficult is adapting to the environment of the school and finding her place. “When you transition to high school, it’s hard to maintain strong relationships with old friends while also forming new bonds,” said Oladele.

When it comes to basketball, she is ecstatic with the fact that she made the team. It is her first year on an organized sports team, and she plans not to make it her last. At the start of the school year, she didn’t intend to join the team, but she says that she doesn’t regret it at all. She loves having her team and coach by her side and appreciates how everyone supports each other. “They are such great people to be around. We’re always laughing and having a great time,” she said.