
Going to a large school, there is one thing that can really change the game for someone--moving to a small school (especially from a 5A school to a 1A school). Helix High School has gained a lot of new students in the high school this year; with the Sophomore class alone getting four new students. One of these students is named Hailey Shepherd.
Hailey has moved from PHS (Pendleton High School) to Helix, or GHS (Griswold High School). She is really used to the big crowds, but felt like the small ones would be a better fit for her. She likes how everyone knows everyone and wouldn’t change anything--except maybe getting a rubberized track, but that’s besides the point.
Hailey likes how everyone knows everyone in Helix. She likes how the classes are small. Overall, she thinks it’s a better school to be in.
Being in Helix, Hailey feels like she now has a huge learning advantage. To her, everyone seems more focused and on task. “I think it’s a better environment because kids treat other kids better than they do in Pendleton, I feel like kids would drop out more in Pendleton than they would in Helix,” said Shepherd. Shepherd says that her favorite class is most likely Language Arts or Spanish.
“She is a really good person!” said Tiawna Terkelson; another new Sophomore in Helix this year, “She is also really quiet, but she is really funny!”
Tiawna met Hailey a long time ago during church, and ever since then, their moms have become friends. The girls also participated in girl scouts and other activities together. Along with Tiawna, she has made a few other friends. Being in the same class, Tiawna and Hailey have become better friends than they were in Pendleton.
Hailey is a quiet person, and knowing someone that generally dislikes big crowds, maybe schools like Pendleton aren’t them. Hailey really likes it so far out in Helix, because of its 1A size. “The smaller the better, and that’s something you don’t see in other schools,” Hailey says.
In Helix, there aren’t as many class options as Pendleton. Shepherd says that she would really love to be in orchestra if it were offered. Hailey plays the cello, and has been for almost 6 years.
Spanish is her favorite class so far because it’s another hobby that she can work on in Helix.
Hailey has a lot of hobbies, “She is usually reading or drawing,” Terkelson explains. Hailey can draw extremely well--even if she doesn't want to admit it. She goes to church, likes to go fishing, and even likes to roller skate!
If you happen to see Hailey, along with the other new students in Helix; try to give them a warm welcoming hello! They like how Helix is so close, so why not let them feel this way too?