A Word From the SHS Newspaper!

Hello Springfield High Senators! And welcome back to another amazing year at Springfield High! As we return to normalcy (or as normal as we can get with all the construction), the SHS Newspaper would personally like to welcome you back to Springfield High! Below is a collection of letters from the Newspaper staff!

Dear Senators,

Welcome back Senators! New year, new us. We are already a month into the school year and hopefully we are all settling back into the rhythm of classes, homework and extracurriculars. I know, I know, summer was great, but let’s be real, didn’t you miss the sound of the bell every 50 minutes? No? Just me? Okay… 

On the bright side, Homecoming is this week; the theme is Route 66 which focuses on nostalgia, classic cars, vintage signs and road trip elements allowing us to be transported back to the 1960s but without the bad haircuts. Homecoming is where SHS loves to show out, where kids feel included, free, excited and bonded. But the most exciting part is who will be the Homecoming queen and king? Will this be the first time a lowerclassmen beats an upperclassmen in the race for the crown? Will I be the newest queen? Time will only tell. 

Quarter 1 should be about trying new sports, going to football, volleyball and soccer games, making new friends in different grades and finding the things that make you happy. To finish out the first quarter, remember to start well as grades really do count in the end. Once you blink, you will find yourself face-to-face with the spooky season and trying to find a friend group to go to haunted houses with. Movies like “The Nightmare before Christmas” to the only jingle of Halloween, “Thriller” by Michael Jackson will be broadcasting through the air. 

Then you will be looking forward to the four-day weekend break of Thanksgiving. Just imagine waking up late, having a stuffy nose, three tests you didn’t study for waiting for your arrival at school and the calendar claims you have two long weeks until break. From my experience, that is what my three weeks before Thanksgiving weekend look like only as a sophomore. That’s what the 2nd quarter feels like. 

In reality, semester 1 is memorable and fun as long as you make it. Smile to others in the hallways, give compliments, ask questions in class, don’t be embarrassed to participate in Spirit Weeks because nobody embodies a barbecue dad like you! I really did mean new year, new us with all the new faces, classrooms and now bathrooms. Let’s make this year count and be the best of the best!

-Sincerely, Angel Efe-Nogo

Aka your big sister

***

“Are you ready kids?” Whether this is your first time as a Springfield High School student or your 20th year teaching, you have no doubt heard of the camaraderie that is Solon Pride. As we kick off this year starting with an early Homecoming dance, Senator Spirit will no doubt be found singing through the hallways. Here at Springfield High, we value our school spirit just as much as our academic and athletic achievements.

“Hoo! Hah! You wish you were a Solon!” With Spirit Week, be sure to dress up and show your Solon Pride. On top of dressing up, another great way to show school spirit is attending sports events. Many students find fall the most intriguing season when it comes to school sports. Along with football, the girl’s tennis team, volleyball team, cross country team and boy’s soccer team have already started their season strong. While football games may have the biggest turn outs, make sure to also show up to the other sporting events to support the athletes, practice the student section cheers and have fun dressing up to the themes. Realistically, an appearance at every game may seem a bit out of reach. Taking that into consideration, the games you definitely do not want to miss are the ones against SHG. 

“What about a color shout? Red, red, red, red…” When you do show up to the games, one thing you can do to ensure you maximize your Springfield High student section experience is to participate in the cheers. Listen to the section leaders and cheerleaders at football games, dress up for the themes and cheer for your Springfield family, on and off the field or court. With all that being said, prepare for another great year at Springfield High… it’s going to be ground-breaking. 

“V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! That’s the Springfield battle cry!”

-Maria D

(Courtesy of Delani Beagles)

***

Dear Senators,

Welcome back to the 2025-2026 school year. It has been a long summer but we are so happy to have everyone back. If you are new here, Springfield High School has undergone many changes in the last year. Our building renovation is still going strong with new classrooms opening with smooth flooring, big open windows and many whiteboards. Moving through the hallways of SHS, you will see wires hanging from the ceiling and ladders in the middle of the hallways. Just remember, even with all this construction, we are united and strong and will get through this upcoming year. 

A message to incoming freshmen: the Solon Fever is already here with Homecoming being so early and all the school spirit themes coming together. Dressing up is cooler than not participating. If you want to impress the seniors, be outgoing in your school spirit. 

Also, a story rich in history, Rachel the ghost is still hanging around. SHS was built on a formal site of the Hutchison Cemetery and still has some gravestones in the basement walls. Don’t be frightened, though, because Rachel has been looking over us during the construction making sure everything is on track. 

Additionally, we have many clubs you can get involved in like Be a Senator, any language club, Dungeons and Dragons and more. The SHS environment is incredible with our friendly staff who are always connecting with the students and the number of students who get involved in activities. To bring back the topic of Homecoming, our theme this year is Route 66. The dance will be held in the Commons, and the mosh pit will be waiting for you. It is a must see and experience at HOCO. 

If you are interested in playing sports, make sure you stay alert for coaches’ meetings and know when tryouts are. High school sports make friendships that last a lifetime. First up is football, which means Friday Night Lights. SHS does football games like no other by having a large student section with a theme and loud cheers! Show up and be loud! 

It is sad that summer is fading away, but once the leaves start to fall and the pumpkins are out on front porches, school is in full swing. I’m so excited to start this 25-26 school year and hope to see new and familiar faces in the hallways, at sports events and at Homecoming!

-Ainsley Lambert

***

Welcome back, Senators!

   Being back in school brings mixed emotions for each student. Some students might say they can’t wait to get back as a distraction from problems at home. Some students dread going back to school because of the stress and social anxiety it brings. For me and other students who play fall and winter sports, it also marks the start of a new sports season, which is nerve-racking and exciting all at the same time. Students have many different perspectives on what “back to school” actually means. Everyone’s definition is changing because the school looks very different from previous years. Wooden stairs, concrete floors and missing lockers. Even missing classrooms. It’s tough to get used to.

No matter how we feel about being back at school, it’s here so we might as well enjoy it.  There is a wide variety of activities at SHS that foster an environment for like-minded people to create friendships and build their resume for jobs and college. Another great way to make friends and have fun at school is to attend recreational activities such as football and basketball games, as well as tennis matches and hockey games! Make a genuine effort, and I’m about ninety-nine percent sure you’ll find the perfect space to collaborate with like-minded peers. 

While school can be tough and stressful, there are many ways to make it more enjoyable. Being back to school can be hard, but I’m highly confident that the student body of SHS is the most spirited and most determined group of students there is. We should all hold a great sense of pride for our school and peers and give ourselves a pat on the back for starting the school year strong. I know that as a student body, we can find ways to learn effectively while genuinely enjoying it throughout the year. After all, hoo, hah, everyone wishes they were a Solon.

-Caitlyn Turner

(Courtesy of Delani Beagles)

***

Welcome back, Senators!

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their summer and had enough time to reset and recharge for the 2025-26 school year. It is officially September, signifying we have entered the “ber” months, which means it is time for the superior holidays to take place. Whether that means trying everything pumpkin spice or digging out your Christmas decor, Senators are ready for a fun couple of months. 

Holidays are not the only events coming up; with fall sports in full swing, there are plenty of exhilarating events to attend. If you are not in a fall sport and looking to expand your horizon, you are in luck! Springfield High School offers various clubs that encourage meeting new people and providing new opportunities. Hopefully, the back-to-school jitters have settled down and you are getting familiar with new teachers and friends. Homecoming week, being held the earliest it has been in years, means all the special and unique events are coming up.

Most importantly, the Solon Olympics. Held only twice a year, the Solon Olympics is a unique and amusing experience with the fight for the Solon Cup and bragging rights between all four classes, raising questions like: Will the juniors finally beat the seniors? Will the freshmen be able to hang with the sophomores? Which class will bring back the renowned Solon Cup? Only time will tell. 

Student Council has been working hard to choose our spirit week themes, making sure our Homecoming week has a great start. However, Homecoming is not the only thing Senators can look forward to; starting Friday, football games will kick off. Four quarters of action-packed gameplay and cheers will have everyone catching Solon Fever. With fall sports, Homecoming, Solon Olympics and Spirit Week, it is safe to say the Senators have a busy couple of weeks coming up and are ready for anything thrown their way. With all the fun Homecoming week festivities, I hope to see you all dressed up and ready to compete for the Solon Cup. It doesn’t matter which clubs or sports you are in when it comes to Homecoming events; we are the Springfield Senators.

-Ava Fultz

***

Dear Springfield High Students & Staff, 

Welcome back to SHS! O’SHEA has been busy in your absence, and there have been new walls built since you have been gone. Regardless of whether you’re a freshman who took 20 minutes to find your locker on the first day of school or a senior counting down the days until graduation, I’m happy you’re here to celebrate the 2025-2026 school year as a Senator. Reflecting on the physical transformations of our school has me thinking about how we can evolve as a community. With so many new faces in the halls, new classes and literally walls moving around us, it feels like the perfect time to talk about something we all need to hear: kindness matters. 

Let’s be honest– high school can feel like a fashion show and the Super Bowl all at once. We’ve got homework, sports, clubs, work and that little voice in the back of our heads constantly wondering if we’re saying the right thing, wearing the right thing or even fitting in with the right group of people. With all that taking up your headspace, it becomes easier to deflect onto others based on trivial, temporary aspects of life. I’m here to tell you that a person is so much more than who their friends are or what they wear. Just because someone doesn’t talk like you, listens to different music or wears something you wouldn’t, it doesn’t mean you can’t be cordial or even connect. In fact, it is normally those people who end up teaching you the most. 

As our school works to complete its construction, I challenge the entire population of Springfield High School (myself included) to reconstruct themselves as well. Sit next to someone different at lunch, talk to the people you normally wouldn’t, throw a couple of compliments out there. Being kind is something small but your one act of kindness could be something big in someone else’s life. Teachers, I’m calling you out to set the tone. How you go out of your way to extend your support past your classroom makes students feel safe and heard. Your examples matter even more than those from the upperclassmen– we do not reach nearly as many students as you do. A special thank you to the teachers who go out of their way to be patient, encouraging and prioritize quality of education over the quantity of information being taught.

This school year could be like every other boring and repetitive one if you are not willing to branch out and make a change. With construction, classrooms are stripped, halls are crowded and we have to leave the building for P.E. But we also have an opportunity to turn this school into a community we are proud of. High school will never be a utopia but it can be a place where people are willing to look past stereotypes and appearances to see the person in front of them. So let’s all be brave enough to choose kindness this school year. 

Welcome back, Senators.

-Delani Beagles

(Courtesy of Delani Beagles)

***

Dear Senators,

Back to school — a parent’s favorite words and, for most children, words that loom over their remaining days of summer. For others, back to school is a bright sign of opportunity, a chance to learn, get out of the house and socialize with peers. This year, the Senators are entering what some consider a live construction site. With unfinished flooring and a revealed ceiling, we, as a student body, learn what it is like to live with change. I myself have been here for three long years, and I experienced our school before and during the construction fiasco. The construction is planned to be completed by the 2026-2027 school year, which means the current freshman class will have the opportunity to explore a new school before graduation. 

Aside from all the changes, we can appreciate the few things that have stayed the same. Everyone’s favorite, Friday Night Lights, is making a big return. Our Senators take on Lanphier High School on Friday night, Sept. 12, which should be a fun one. Senior Brody Scheffler, leading the offense, is hungry to give us that home victory. The rest of the student body, however, will be standing in the student section, cheering loudly and decked out in their City vs. Country outfits. 

In other news, Homecoming is this Saturday, Sept. 13. Show up and show out! With the Homecoming dance, of course, brings Spirit Week. Spirit day themes have been announced so be sure to check it every morning because there is nothing worse than being the only person in your friend group off-theme. Finally, remember to follow the school rules, abstain from playing on your phone in class, wear the proper clothing and, most importantly, make new friends, step out of your comfort zone and have fun in class. Welcome back to school, Senators. Let’s make this year a good one and send the seniors off to their adult lives with a smile on their faces.

-Henry Stachera

***

Welcome Back, Springfield High!

Hello SHS staff and students, and welcome back to another amazing year at Springfield High School! As we return to our everyday activities and settle back into our routines, let’s look forward to the year with a positive attitude and focus on teaching and learning. The beginning of the school year is a time for new beginnings and reinvention. I can guarantee that as you prepare to walk the stage as a senior, you will be a different person than who you were at Freshman Forward. 

To the freshman: when I started here at Springfield High, I was your stereotypical shy, awkward and confused freshman. I transferred in from a small school and knew a whopping five people in a class of 300. The first couple of weeks are hard. You wonder if the rest of your high school experience will be like this, but your experience is what you make of it. I joined the show choir and the play, I talked to as many people in my classes as I could, I built connections with my teachers and I went to school events. Pushing yourself to connect not only with your fellow students but with your school is overwhelming. But it’s all worth it to walk through the halls as a senior and never not see a friendly face.

To my sophomores, juniors and seniors: sometimes going back to school after a fun summer can feel more like an inconvenience than an excitement. It can be extremely frustrating to look at colleges, have a job, drive a car and still have to come back to the same school in the fall. However, every year of high school is a different experience from the last, so treat it as a fresh start because in a way, it really is. Four years seems like a long time, but believe me, it goes by fast.

So whether you are a scared freshman or a burnt-out junior, remember that every year is different, every year has its ups and downs, but the school year is what you make of it. Senators, let’s make it a good one. I hope everyone has a great year–  welcome back, Springfield High!

-Mady Field

(Courtesy of Delani Beagles)

***

Welcome back, Senators, Solons, or whatever you want to call our mascot!

 It’s the beginning of a new year, and you know what that means…football games, volleyball games, soccer games and HOMECOMING! I don’t know about you guys, but the start of the school year is my favorite. This is the time to experience new opportunities like different clubs, new friends, new classes and all the things that make high school exciting! I met some of my greatest friends in high school, so be open to new people and challenge yourself to be the best version of you.

 On a real note, though, I assume that whoever is reading this has heard of the freshman freakout, the sophomore slump, the junior jitters and senioritis. I won’t sugar coat things… it is real. The third quarter after Christmas break is rough. It’s cold, it’s always dark when you wake up and everything seems so gloomy. We will all go through it, but we will get over it too, because during the third quarter, City basketball starts, Sadies, Solon Olympics and spring sports start. 

Back to the start of the school year, though– City week will start soon, and that is one of my favorite parts of high school. I love dressing up and getting out of my comfort zone. Some of my favorite themes from the past have been Decades Day, dress as the first letter of your name, dress as your type and surfers vs bikers. Some people think it is embarrassing to dress up, but it’s so fun when you actually do it. You can win money at lunch for best dressed, you can get posted on the Studco Instagram, and it is so memorable. 

You should really try to do everything you can while you can because you will not be in high school forever, so ask that person out, go to the football games, hangout with your friends, go to all the school events, try out for different sports, make the most of the time you have because this time really does go by fast. I feel like I was a freshman last week, and this year I’m going to be submitting college applications, and next year I will be graduating. Time flies when you’re having fun, so always be sure to make the most of it.

Sincerely, 

-Milan Robinson

***

Welcome back Solons! 

Summer’s adventures have come to an end and now that it’s finally time to return to school, I hope you are all as excited as I am to be back and enjoying the school’s renovation. Let’s all make sure to start the school year strong by following school rules and keeping up with homework. Our faculty is back and even stronger with the new additions of Mrs. Impson and Mr. Sutton as our new discipline deans. As bad as you might want to meet them, try to make a good first impression by saying hello as you pass by in the halls, rather than meeting them for the first time in their offices. 

I’d like to take a moment to recognize our amazing Senator sports teams. Our football, soccer, and volleyball teams have had a strong start this year, all of whom have won their first game! And as per usual, our tennis team athletes show a positive attitude about embracing the challenges they face, while their season continues to move forward. Speaking of sports, our Homecoming football game is this Friday against the Lanphier Lions. Be there and be square in your best themed outfit. If you haven’t already, mark other Solon events on your calendar — we have some hard hitters like Homecoming and Solon Olympics coming up. Embrace the fun and show your Solon pride by dressing up for the themes! Finally, embrace the words of our dear principal Dr. Leardi, who always says, “Solons make sure to show respect to themselves and others”– so have fun but maintain our stellar SHS standards.

-Liam Doyle

(Courtesy of Delani Beagles)