The class of 2028 visited Redwood High School to preview their high school experience on Friday, February 16, 2024. They saw performances from Visual and Performing Arts programs, watched videos introducing electives, and toured the campus.
By Ayla Ozturk, Megan Yang, and Ryan Kaspar
On Friday, February 16, 2024, the class of 2028 visited Redwood High School to get a taste of their upcoming high school experience.
“Welcome to Ranger Nation,” Dr. Brandon Gridiron, Redwood’s recently appointed principal, told the students.
“I think it’s a special moment right for [the eighth graders], of course, but also for me, just because that will be my first freshman class,” Dr. Gridiron says. “It’s exciting to see their faces and the excitement and then not even recognizing what they’re going to be able to experience over the next four years.”
After an introduction from Dr. Gridiron and Assistant Principal of Student Services Alexa Barba-Tepper, half of the students left the gymnasium for a campus tour.
The other half stayed in the gymnasium to see performances from Visual and Performing Arts [VAPA] groups, watched videos introducing Redwood’s various electives, and heard from Associated Student Body [ASB] Officers Riley Yagle and Julie Torres.
Assistant Principal of Student Services Alexa Barba-Tepper has been planning eighth-grade visits as long as some students have been alive. “14 years,” she says.
“The assemblies definitely are my favorite part,” Barba-Tepper says. “I think just the vibe in the gym and the energy in the gym of our Rangers and then obviously the cute little timid future Rangers.”
According to Barba-Tepper, it takes two months to plan a visit.
She says, “I have to communicate with Green Acres and Ridgeview to find out like what staff members are coming. It helps [us] design the tour groups. ASB and Link Crew help out with being tour guides and then there’s just a lot of scripting.”
The assemblies are usually in the gymnasium, but the last one was in the Mineral King Bowl due to gymnasium construction. Now that the gymnasium is available again, the students can attend the assemblies indoors.
Barba-Tepper says, “I much prefer in the gym where everyone’s in one spot, and I can be on a [microphone], and it’s just so much easier to like correlate everybody.”
Emma Hernandez, ’28, goes to Green Acres Middle School. She says, “The tour was good. I liked band and was thinking about joining auto-mechanics. I found that class cool.”
Hernandez is “looking forward to the big school and the amount of electives there are.”
Hernandez’s group crossed the bridge connecting Redwood’s main campus to Sierra Vista during the tour. “The walk hurt my feet,” says Hernandez.
Etwin Contreras, ’28, attends Green Acres as well. He says, “The tour was pretty fun. Spanish and Art seemed interesting.”
Oscar Sanchez, ’28, goes to Ridgeview Middle School. He says, “I’m planning to try out for basketball, and do auto and welding. The campus is pretty nice so far, the gym looks pretty cool.”
Some of Sanchez’s worries for the next school year include “the school being big and crowded.”
Aryan Mehroke, ’28, also goes to Ridgeview. He says, “The campus is pretty cool. I didn’t expect it to be this big.”
“I’m looking forward to soccer and auto,” Mehroke says. “I’m scared for the math and that we don’t get to go outside for lunch because we’re freshmen.”
Dayanna Cobarruvios, ’28, says, “I’m feeling excited and nervous [about Orientation].” She doesn’t know what electives she plans on doing. However, she is in the yearbook class at Ridgeview Middle School.
Jacob Abbott, ’24, and Isaac Zamorano, ’24, are a part of Redwood Band. They performed for the eighth graders.
“I’m so used to performing at this point that I’m kind of just chilling. I’m not too nervous or anything,” Abbott says.
Zamorano says, “I’m used to performing, but it’s kind of sad this will be the last time.”
Ayla Ozturk
Ayla Ozturk, class of 2024, is a fourth-year journalism student passionate about leading the News section. She is dedicated to informing students and amplifying their voices through Government and Politics writing.
You can reach her at ayla.oz3769@vusd.us.
Megan Yang
Megan Yang ('24) is in her 4th year of Journalism. She is a writer and editor for the News section and enjoys writing for the Redwood Gigantea.
Ryan Kaspar
Ryan Kaspar ('24) is a four-year member of the Redwood Gigantea. They work as managing editor along with being a writer and editor for the News section.
You can reach them at ryan.kaspar05@gmail.com
Tags: 8th grade visit, ayla ozturk, class of 2028, megan yang, news, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood news, redwood rangers, rhs, Ryan Kaspar, visalia ca
