With the beginning of a new school year at Monticello High School, this will be the class of 2026’s first year of being upperclassmen. This will be a big year for them as they are now upperclassmen and their high school career is officially halfway over.
Many juniors are looking forward to their new status, as there are several perks that come with being an upperclassmen.
“I’m looking forward to being one of the older role models in the school. I feel like I looked up to the upperclassmen as a freshman, for sure, so I’m glad I get to be…someone that the underclassmen look up to,” said junior Bailee Wierman.
Junior Nolan Buehnerkemper is also looking for to his first year being an upperclassman. “Ever since I was younger, I always looked forward to junior year. I am looking forward to all the perks and freedoms that come with being an upperclassman,” said Buehnerkemper.
A couple advantages that come with being an upperclassman are prom and early outs on Fridays. While younger students can attend prom with an upperclassman, this will be the first opportunity for majority of the class of 2026 to attend prom. Additionally, seniors and juniors with a certain GPA are allowed to skip homerooms on Fridays.
While there are plenty of benefits that come with being an upperclassman, there are also some downsides. Junior year tends to be the hardest year for high schoolers, with AP classes and standardized tests. Some of them are not looking forward to the AP exams and ACT that await them at the end of the school year.
“This year, I am taking a couple of AP classes. Most of my schedule is pretty difficult, but I would say APUSH is making me the most nervous with all the note taking and writing,” said Buehnerkemper.
“I’m in APEN and APUSH, as well as Pre-AP Pre-Calculus, which adds a lot more [weight] to my schedule. But I have good teachers for my classes, and I’ll get through it!” added Wierman.
The beginning of their junior year also marks the halfway point of high school for the class of 2026.
“I’m glad I’m almost done, but at the same time part of me is sad that it’s ending…but not the homework,” stated Wierman.
Thaddeus Rudolph, Staff Writer
The Sage Informer 
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