On Aug. 13, 2025, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) opened its gates to usher in staff and students alike for the 2025-2026 school year.
After a full summer off, Dragons came bright and early to start off the school year and were welcomed into the school by Assistant Principals Katie Tedford and Franklin Davis as well as various staff members who were donned in space and alien-like attire to match the theme of the school year, “Chasing the Stars.”
Matching the costumes, Foothill Tech was decorated with streamers and stars by the Associated Student Body (ASB), as well as students’ names written on individual stars, each having their own respective color to differentiate between grades. ASB also played music in the quad during lunch and handed out Milky Way and Starburst candies to the students creating a welcoming atmosphere.
The 2025-2026 school year started off by also welcoming 17 new staff members joining Foothill Tech along with the incoming freshman class.
Tedford said, “What I’m really excited about is we’ve got some great new teachers that are going to do some great new things. We have a new drama teacher, we have a new ASB director, we have a new athletics director, so I think we’re going to see some fun, new, different things there, and that has been exciting.”
As the new year begins, new upper and lowerclassmen are established in the Foothill Tech halls, with the class of 2029 entering their first day of their high school careers. Offering a fresh perspective, Grayson Field ‘29 said, “I don’t really have many goals, but I feel like [high school would give me] some knowledge of what I want to do later in life.”
New upperclassmen Aanya Desham ‘27 expressed her thoughts on her newfound respect saying, “It feels good … nobody treats you like a baby anymore.”
The first day also brings in the new senior class of Foothill Tech as the class of 2026 walks into their final year with excitement and anticipation alike. Mia Baciagalupi ‘26 stated, “I know it’s probably going to be a stressful year, but I want to enjoy it as much as I can with all my friends before we all go our separate ways.”
The first day of school marks the beginning of the new academic year for students, teachers and faculty, while also introducing a fresh chapter of new faces and opportunities. Whether it is a Dragon’s freshman or senior year, the day is filled with excitement, nerves and anticipation as Dragons prepare to push limits and start “Chasing the Stars.”
