The golden sun hung low in the sky, morning dew sparkled through the grass. It was a Friday morning, and the drumline was assembled outside the Peace Garden. Freshman Sharon Kramschuster rotated 90 degrees to her left to face senior Clare Lappin, raised both drumsticks clutched firmly in her hands, and lightly tapped on the cymbals held out to her. The softness of that noise was quickly overshadowed as Kramschuster began to alternate taps on the drum attached at her hips, each beat louder than the last. Finally, as the last chorus of beats rang out, the small crowd of students and faculty let out a roar of appreciation. One such faculty member, Paul Kramschuster, clapped especially loudly. Not only is Kramschuster the only freshman on drum line, but as the daughter of a theology teacher, her name was already paved for her before stepping foot into school on the first day of her freshman year.

Kramschuster attended Center Middle School, just minutes from Sion, from the beginning of her sixth grade year until graduation last spring. However, unlike the majority of graduates from her middle school, Kramschuster would not feed into Center High School; instead she made the decision to attend Sion.

“There are excellent opportunities at both Center and Sion,” Paul said, “but I think both my wife, Sharon and I all knew that Sion would ultimately be the best decision for her.”

Julie Kramschuster, Paul’s wife, has taught at Center High School for the last six years, and Paul’s older daughter, Jillian Kramschuster currently attends the high school as a junior. Despite the fact that this year marks Paul’s 16th year teaching at Sion, his older daughter chose Center.

“Many of Jillian’s friends made the decision to attend Center High School. Also, because of the large marching band that Center offers, Jillian sort of knew that she would go to Center High School,” Paul said.

Through her own experience at Center Middle School, Kramschuster participated in a variety of activities, from the swim team, to the orchestra to the softball team. Kramschuster’s dedication to softball led her to pursue playing on a club team outside of her school’s team.

“Center High School does not have a softball team for girls,” Kramschuster said. “Although that wasn’t the only reason why I came to Sion, it was one of the big reasons.”

During middle school, Kramschuster would often take the school bus to be dropped off near Sion. Because Center’s school day ended before Sion’s did, many days a week, she would sit in on the end of her father’s classes. It was these first interactions with Sion girls which also contributed to her high school decision.

“I didn’t really make the decision until late in my eighth grade year, but I had talked to some girls when I came to the ends of school days and they seemed sincerely funny and nice,” Kramschuster said.

As far as adjusting to a new school and a new environment has gone for Kramschuster, having an easily recognizable last name among school has added an element perhaps many other freshmen may not experience.

“During freshmen orientation when many of the upperclassmen cheered and clapped when her named was called, I could tell she was embarrassed,” Paul said. “I think she wants to fit in like everyone else but attention was called to her.”

However, when asked how her freshmen year has gone so far through the first two weeks, Kramschuster grinned.

“I really love it so far,” Kramschuster said.