The Class of 2027 Visits Redwood High School

By Ayla Ozturk, Ryan Kaspar, and Megan Yang

On Thursday, February 16, 2023, the class of 2027 visited Redwood High School. It is tradition for the incoming freshman class to learn about Redwood and what it has to offer.

VISALIA, CA— On Thursday, February 16, 2023, the incoming freshman class visited Redwood High School.

Principal Dr. Amanda Richard welcomed the students at the start of the first assembly.

Assistant Principal Alexa Barba-Tepper oversaw the activities throughout the day. She says, “This is their first impression of Redwood. It’s a high stake situation.”

The day includes performances from various groups at Redwood. Barba-Tepper says, “All [of] the groups that I’ve ever had perform and be a part of this have made it such a welcoming day.”

Barba-Tepper thanks the performers, the ASB and Link Crew students who put together events and led the tours, and other students who contributed to the orientation.

“I only make [the] schedule for this, and if it wasn’t for the performance groups, ASB and Link Crew, this wouldn’t happen,” she says. “So it’s really all of them helping and making it such a fun day.”

Hailey Aston is the Associated Student Body [ASB] advisor. The ASB students and Link Crew put together the events and led the tours.

Aston says, “The goal is that they get to see ASB leading everyone around the campus and that in the future, they’d like to be a part of all of that as well.”

Aston adds, “It’s always so much fun to get that brand-new freshman class, so we’re excited for all of them to get here.”

Hadlee Galley, ’27, from Green Acres Middle School, says, “My overall experience was very good. I really liked my tour guides.”

Galley is currently an  Advancement Via Individual Determination [AVID] tutor and is in Green Akers’s choir. When Galley gets to high school, she is interested in taking American Sign Language [ASL] and continuing choir. 

“I’m feeling pretty excited about high school because I have a lot of freshmen friends here that I’m excited to hang out with and meet new people,” says Galley.

“I’m feeling pretty excited about high school because I have a lot of freshmen friends here that I’m excited to hang out with and meet new people,” says Galley.

Michael Rodriguez ‘27, from Green Acres Middle School, says, “At first I got a little nervous about seeing all the things that I’ve wanted, but now since I’ve seen a lot of stuff, I know what I want to do here and anything, it’s gonna be very exciting.” 

The overall tour experience, “has helped [Hernandez] to find a hobby.” Hernandez says, “There’s a lot of stuff, so when I get to Redwood, I’ll decide more.”

Xavier Hernandez ‘27, from Green Acres Middle School, says, “[Redwood] is a really great school. I’m proud to be here next school year.” 

Jazz Band and some members of the wind ensemble performed at the orientation. Jazz Band performed the songs: “25 or 6 to 4”, “Treasure,” “Runaway,” and “Go Daddy-O.”

Keoni Estevez-Morales ’24, Jazz member, says, “It feels pretty good [leading the band by ourselves]. I definitely feel like it’s very healthy to have a good amount of independence, especially with the majority of the band being upper class, and it’s a really good way for us to show our leadership skills.” 

When performing for the 8th graders, Estevez-Morales had “felt pretty good, but a little scared. It is definitely fun, though. Everybody should check out Jazz Band because it might be something that they’re interested in.”

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