By Janie Kim and Julie Bond
On a gorgeous summer evening, Princeton High School’s students of the Class of 2013 celebrated a momentous event in their lives as they graduated from high school. Though most students were very excited to be moving on to the next chapter in their lives, the graduation was also bittersweet as they were leaving their closest friends, teachers and an incredible four years at PHS.
”We, the class of 2013, will always remember the things we did at Princeton High School,” said PHS graduate Andrew Zysk during a speech to the class.
When reflecting on their past experiences at Princeton High School, the students were grateful for all of the opportunities offered by PHS, the Princeton community and the university that they were able to take advantage of. A few students remembered the courses they had the opportunity to take at Princeton University, part of PHS’s plan for students who have exhausted the classes available at PHS in a certain subject area.
”I think [taking classes at the university] is one of the greatest things that has happened to me in my high school career,” said 2013 PHS graduate Matthew Ko. “It let me work with some of the top students in the nation on things that I’m really passionate about — things that I love to do.”
Rising college freshman Byrne Fahey pointed to extracurricular activities like softball, Spork (PHS’s food and dining magazine), Student Council, MEAT club, and Tower (the school newspaper), as lasting experiences from her time in high school.
”My favorite memories from PHS are just those that I shared with really important people,” said Fahey. “Basically anything that involved … getting to know other people at PHS was really an amazing experience for me.”
Many students also cited the teachers, with whom they spent their past four years, as having a profound impact on their lives.
Rising college freshman Elizabeth Maxey recalled being told in middle school that teachers in high school would not care as much about the individuals in their classes.
However, “When I came [to PHS I realized] they really do care about you, and they care about your success,” said Maxey.
Nonetheless, whether they were spending time interacting with students their own age or students from the university, there seemed to be an overwhelming consensus that their peers were the ones who made the school come alive.
”A lot of these guys … are some of the most interesting people out there in the world,” said Ko.
”A lot of people say that PHS is a great school, [but] I don’t think they give enough credit to the students,” said Fahey. “We have great teachers, and we have great resources, but a lot of it is just that the students here are incredibly motivated and that’s just such a great environment to be in when you go out into the future.”
Most graduates felt that their time at PHS has helped them grow and mature into young adults ready to take on what lies ahead.
”PHS is definitely a community [that] forces you to grow up on your own. They don’t hold your hand through the entire experience … [You can] figure out who you are, what you want to do, what your dreams are, and then move on from there,” said Arthur Nelson, another 2013 PHS graduate.
Preparing to start a life after high school that will involve difficult choices and increased responsibility, the PHS Class of 2013 knows they will be in for a rough ride.
”So are we ready?” student speaker Jinwoo Chong asked of his class in his graduation speech. “Honestly, I don’t know if I’m ready,” he confessed. “But that’s just part of the adventure.”
Janie Kim and Julie Bond are students at Princeton High School.

