As Dragons returned to Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) on Aug. 14, 2024, they were welcomed by friendly staff and faculty, eager to commence the 2024-2025 school year. 

Students, new and old, were welcomed to a familiar campus, though various changes had been made since the last school year. Some of these differences included the addition of security cameras in the hallways and a new protocol for phone use, as well as the introduction of the new principal, Courtney Johnson, and additional staff. 

Assistant principals, Katherine Tedford and Franklin Davis greeted students with flamboyant costumes, alluding to the campus theme of “A Year for the Records.” Students were met with shiny decor, flashy banners and their names posted on the walls of the hallways.

The campus theme was chosen by the Associated Student Body (ASB), as they used decor and sound to introduce the musical-themed year. Students’ names were displayed along the walls of Foothill Tech, written on paper vinyls, while the class of 2025 had paper musical notes dedicated in their honor. 

Ronan Murphy ‘25, a member of ASB, expressed his outlook on this year’s theme, “It’s the 25th anniversary of Foothill Technology being a high school, and the whole theme revolves around music, every genre, and how it brings people together.”

In efforts to smoothly organize “A Year for the Records” ASB prepared in advance, taking four additional days before school started to put together Welcome Week. 

To honor Foothill Tech’s anniversary, Fox 11 Los Angeles came on campus to do a feature, going into classrooms and interviewing teachers and students alike. One interview included ASB member, Lauren Fossati ‘25 in which she described her first day emotions and thoughts on senior year and beyond. 

In Mika Anderson’s physiology class, the news crew conducted an interview with Finn Alleman ‘26, who stated afterward, “It was kind of surprising because that has never really happened before on campus, but it didn’t feel weird or invasive because they talked about it a lot and gave us those wristbands that said whether we were media cleared.” 

As a way to help students feel more comfortable returning to school, words of affirmation were written on the mirrors in the girls’ bathroom. Signs such as “You are so beautiful!” and “First day fit is so cute!” were placed where students would easily notice to give a quick boost of confidence on their first day. 

Additionally, free pad and tampon dispensers were added to the restrooms to ensure that all students have access to essential hygiene products whenever needed. 

Ryan Alderman ‘25 described her emotions on her first day saying, “As soon as I got there I was super excited … I saw the teachers that I like, and the teachers especially give you a really warm welcome.”

Upperclassmen expressed a high level of enthusiasm and support for the new and returning students. Matthew Nguyen ‘27 expressed that “There are a lot of new faces I’m excited to know, meet and greet” and made sure to mention the importance of a concerted effort to help new students get to “know what this school is about” and “who we are as a school.”

One of the many new students, Janelle Nelson ‘28, reflected on the first day, saying, “I’m nervous since I haven’t been to this school at all before, but honestly it’s been good, it’s been fun and positive.” 

Many freshmen in the same boat expressed similar alleviated worries, such as Morgana Furuta ‘28 who felt that she had quickly connected with the school theme. “Coming out of middle school, this is exactly what I expected, like I’m in an ’80s high school movie,” Furuta explained. The flamboyance and early extravagance from the music-centered theme quickly helped bring students into the new year and helped make an open and supportive place. 

ASB member Allison Fossati ‘28 talked about what to expect and the meaning behind the theme of the year, stating, “I think it is really fitting because it is the 25th anniversary [since Foothill Tech’s opening] … it is one of the first big anniversaries.” 

Allison Fossati also gave details on what to expect from ASB for the upcoming year, stating  “[ASB is] just trying to create an exciting environment to keep people excited to be here … with spirit weeks and dances.” As the exciting school year of 2024-2025 begins ASB is prepared to make it, “One for the records.”

Students started the day nervous, whether it be locating their peers at break and lunch, meeting their teachers, or discovering where they would sit in their classes. However, Dragons walked out of school tired but far more prepared and even hopeful that the 2024-2025 school year will hit just the right note.