Day 5: Experiencing Everyday Life at a Guyer High School

October 10th, 2024

Thursday, October 10th, marks our fourth day at Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, and the place is starting to feel more familiar. My day begins with a ride on a classic American school bus, which feels straight out of a movie!

Two days ago, we selected our individual courses, and now we’re following our own schedules. The course variety is impressive, catering to a wide range of interests and future career paths.
Every morning starts with the Pledge of Allegiance, a tradition where students stand and promise loyalty to the U.S. flag and the country.

Students and teachers here are incredibly welcoming. They are curious about our culture and make us feel at home. With around 2,500 students, the campus can be overwhelming, but we’re slowly getting used to it. The cafeteria is huge, serving pizza and other food, with different lunch shifts.
There are also numerous clubs to join in the afternoons. Some of us joined the Ping Pong Club, run by Mr. Damrau, one of the teachers accompanying us.

Safety is taken very seriously here. There’s a police presence on campus, and students need hall passes to leave class during lessons. We even had a short lockdown drill today to practice emergency procedures—an interesting, reassuring experience.

Overall, I’m really enjoying this glimpse into American high school life. It’s an experience I’ll remember for a long time!

(Laila, 11th grade)