Transferring to a new school can be a frightening and stressful time, especially if the school is in a whole new city or state.

Senior Rance Drexler is a new student to Hays High, and said he is excited to see what the rest of the year has in store.

“With my specific situation it was better to wait until my senior year to move,” Drexler said.

Originally from St. Louis, Drexler said his experience with Hays High has been much different from his old school.

“It’s a lot smaller,” Drexler said. “My old school had around 1,500 kids and here there are about 700. In fact, there’s just a big difference in the overall population of this town.”

As of 2015, the population approximate of Hays was 20,510, while the approximate population of St. Louis was 319,294.

Drexler added that the school lunches are unlike the ones from his old school, and the cellphone policy is much stricter here.

However, Drexler said he believes the students at Hays High are friendlier than the students at his old school.

“My classmates all accepted me quickly,” Drexler said. “I’ve made tons of friends on my cross country team and they help me to make more friends. I also have an outgoing personality, so that’s probably helped me to make friends as well.”

During the first day of school, Drexler said he felt excited for a fresh start.

“It was my choice to move to Hays,” Drexler said.  “I’m very involved and I had already gotten acquainted with the cross country team before the first day so I knew a few people beforehand.”

Drexler said his classwork as of now seems easier than his workload in St. Louis.

“A few of the regular classes seem easier,” Drexler said. “But I’m also taking classes from FHSU.”

In addition to being involved with cross country, Drexler participates in track, musicals, plays, Orchestra and electric cars.

“I really am excited for this opportunity,” Drexler said. “I think going to school here will be nice.”

17aweber@usd489.com