By Jordan Thompson
Staff Writer
Feb. 7 was not the typical day for eighth grader Cody Masters. It was his first day at high school-and it was a little unexpected.
Masters and his fellow Coppell Middle School West eighth graders would not be rolling with the motions of a typical middle school day; instead they would tour their future high school for the first time.
Master’s stomach was in knots, but he didn’t show it. His friends expected him to be more relaxed since his brother, Tanner, is a senior at CHS. He couldn’t help but wonder though; Do kids really get thrown off the senior bridge? Is passing period really as dangerous as it sounds? Can you really upset another student for sitting at their lunch table?
Soon these questions were answered and fortunately for Masters and his friends, Coppell High School will welcome them with open arms.
It is understandable for an eighth grader to be scared about high school.
In movies and books and TV shows the grounds of a high school is never depicted as a very welcoming place.
There are often more enemies then there are friends. It is more of an “every man for himself” environment-and peers feed on juicy rumors like a pack of piranhas.
On Feb. 6, 7 and 8 eighth grade students from all three Coppell Middle Schools were given Coppell Red Jacket led tours of CHS halls.
“It gets them to relax a little, it helps them know that they’re not going to get thrown off the ‘senior bridge’ or get beat up a whole bunch,” CMS East eighth grade science Chris Gollner said.
Masters has now had a chance to cross the senior bridge (in one piece) and look at (but not touch) the stands that serve CiCi’s pizza at lunch. He even had a chance to walk the halls with his brother, Senior Tanner Masters since he will be graduating before his brother is a freshman.
“I’m nervous to say the least,” CMS West eighth grader Cody Masters said. “Walking through the halls was exciting, but I can’t imagine it being as fun if I had to wait until fish camp. Fish camp wont be the same because I wont get to see kids actually going through their school routine and learning in each class.”
Not only do the students get to see their future peers and teachers doing business as usual, they were also able to ask their group leaders questions about what they saw. Students were able to get comfortable talking to the seniors and feel more welcomed into the Cowboy family.
“We had a lot of excitement in our group. The kids were a lot fun,” Red Jackets senior Ethan Foss said.
Coppell is known for its view from the senior bridge or top of freshman stairs during passing periods; as soon as the bell rings students flood into the hallways and the carpet is barely visible.
“I know high school will be different,” Masters said. “It’s the year I take important tests, learn how to drive and become an adult. I know it will be different, but after visiting during the school year I feel like I will fit in. I’m excited.”
