Transferring, It Was Worth It

Looking back on her high school experience, Senior Avery Williams reflects on making the switch from Shawnee Mission East to Sion her sophomore year.

Avery Williams, Reporter • Sep 4, 2024

PHOTO | Caroline Deacon

Senior Avery Williams walks through the doors of Sion High School.

Imagine having to go from your fifth-floor Spanish class to your first-floor math class in less than five minutes. Forget going to your locker that’s on the other side of school or going to the bathroom, there’s no time. From crowded hallways that made you late to every class, to seeing new faces every day because there were almost 2,000 people, this was my world in my freshman year of high school. The size of the school alone created an overwhelming environment for me both academically and socially. I struggled to find friends and I felt totally lost in the crowd. I hardly ever got one-on-one time with my teachers and it felt like it was a constant battle for teachers to get kids off their phones which took away from class time.

The summer going into my sophomore year I knew that I couldn’t go back. So I made the transition from a large and suffocating public school to an all-girls private school, Sion, where I have thrived for the past two years. Sion provided small class sizes where I regained the academic confidence I lost. I started to love learning again and gained connections with each teacher which has allowed me to really engage. I’m not afraid to raise my hand in class anymore because there are no cute boys to impress. But coming to Sion was not just about escaping my old school, it was about really finding who I am. Through everything Sion has offered me, I have been able to explore my different interests and participate in the community. Sion’s positive environment has helped me gain the sense of self-worth and confidence I had been lacking. I’m a firm believer in finding the right educational environment for each individual person.

For me that was Sion, but for many others, their right fit has been at a large public highschool. Finding the right place can make a significant difference in the development of a child academically and socially. I feel so confident in myself and I’m not scared to share my opinion anymore. I’m so happy to have made the decision to go to Sion and I couldn’t be more grateful for what it has done for me.

About the Contributors

Avery Williams, Staffer

Avery Williams is a senior and first-year staffer on Le Journal. She can't wait to be a part of a publication at Sion! She loves the color pink and her favorite drink is Dr. Pepper. Her favorite time of year is around the Holidays because it gives her time to spend with her family! Avery likes to spend her free time with her dogs Sunny and Max, whether that's taking them to get pup cups or walks around their neighborhood. She wants to make the most out of everything senior year has to offer and hopes to go to Sandiego some time soon.

Caroline Deacon, Sion Student Media Editor in Chief

This is Caroline’s second year on LeJournal and she is this year’s Editor-In-Chief. There’s almost nothing she loves more than watching movies and one of her all time favorites is It’s A Wonderful Life. Outside of LeJournal, she has participated in track and field and stage crew throughout her time at Sion. She loves exploring music genres and is always looking for new book recommendations. She can never say no to a plate of sushi or a hot bowl of noodles and loves learning to cook new cuisines. Her family, especially her three brothers, are an incredibly important part of her life. She loves supporting her friends and can’t wait to see everything they continue to achieve. After high school, she is looking forward to attending college and is interested in pursuing juvenile law. Additionally, she looks forward to continue growing her love for the arts as she gets older, through fashion, photography, and film. She is so excited for her last year on staff!