Freshmen Faces: Meet South Gate’s Newest Rams!

By Valerie Larios September 24, 2025

Starting high school is exciting, overwhelming, and full of surprises. Three freshmen share their first impressions of high school, from friends and clubs to teachers and challenges.

Anahi Chavez-Felix, 14

Photo courtesy of Anahi Chavez-Felix.

For freshman Anahi Chavez-Felix, high school is turning out to be a lot more welcoming than she expected. “I thought people would be rude, but everyone’s been really nice,” she says. Over the summer, Anahi dedicated her time to preparing for soccer tryouts, and now she’s proud to call herself a member of South Gate’s girls soccer team.

Anahi says being on the team feels like joining a family. “It feels like a second home with them and I’m super grateful to have them,” she explains. While she appreciates our school spirit, she does wish some rules were different, especially the ten minute bathroom rule and the phone ban, which she finds frustrating when trying to meet friends or listen to music. Nevertheless, she believes her dedication to soccer and the support from her teammates will make her first year unforgettable.

Zayani Perez, 14

Photo courtesy of Zayani Perez.

Zayani Perez, a freshman coming South Gate Middle School, describes herself as outgoing and prepared for high school. She appreciates how supportive the teachers are and how many clubs and extracurriculars South Gate offers. “There’s a lot of opportunities here,” she says.

Outside of class, Zayani loves hanging out with friends, singing, and watching soccer. She’s not a fan of the crowded hallways or the phone ban, which she says makes things harder for students. She also wishes the bathrooms were cleaner. Still, Zayani sees high school as an exciting place to grow and try new things, and she’s already making the most of it.

Jocelyn Larios, 15

Photo courtesy of Valerie Larios.

Starting high school was nerve wracking for Jocelyn, but after a few weeks, she found it to be a fun experience. Coming from South Gate Middle School, she admits she had typical fears but quickly realized that high school isn’t as intimidating as it looks. “Freshmen don’t get swirlies,” she jokes, referencing the stereotypical high school movie scene where a freshman’s head is dunked into a toilet. 

Music plays a big role in Jocelyn’s life, including learning to play the piano. Her playlist features Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean, and Faye Webster. She also enjoys going to our school’s football games with her friends, which she says makes her feel connected to the school community. For Jocelyn, high school is already proving to be more about good memories than nerves.