Tiana Lancaster, 9
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“Playing. I like to go on the playground, and I like painting.”
Nayaonna Morgan, 17
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“I’m looking forward to graduating and going to college. I like talking to my friends and socializing. I have favorite teachers, so I do look forward to seeing them. I’m also looking forward to having a good year in volleyball and having a good year overall.”
What is something you wish parents understood about going to school in Milwaukee?
“I feel like adults don’t realize that some schools aren’t how they were back then; it can be difficult.”
Estella Yang, 10
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“Probably getting back to my normal routine, getting back to my friends, stuff like that.”
What is something you wish parents understood about going to school in Milwaukee?
“A lot of stuff happens, like having to go to the gym, having the teachers talk about stuff, having to take a lot of tests, and how hard it can be struggling with homework.”
Brandon Johnson, 16
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“I would say seeing my friends and trying to continue my healthcare field. I want to go into nursing, and then I’ll see what I’ll do after nursing.”
Any advice to share with your classmates in school?
“Make sure you choose what you really want to do. Don’t get peer-pressured. Choose the classes that you like.”
Tulio Hill, 10
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“To make new friends and learn stuff that I didn’t learn last year.”
What’s your favorite subject in school?
“Reading. I like reading because there are so many different types of books that we could read about.”
Aubrey Jones, 14
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“My goal is to have all my credits (for the year) by the end of ninth grade.”
What is something you wish parents understood about going to school in Milwaukee?
“It’s not the same anymore. It’s different work than they had when they went to school.”
Ethan Molina Montes, 10
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“What I’m looking forward to the most is improving my grades. I’m also looking forward to improving my soccer skills and joining new clubs to get to know more people.”
What is something you wish parents understood about going to school in Milwaukee?
“I wish that some adults understood that some schools need more resources, so they can grow bigger and more students can come because not everybody has the opportunity to go to school.”
Braylenn Johnson, 14
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“This school year, just the friends and getting past the year.”
What is something you wish parents understood about going to school in Milwaukee?
“That there’s less diversity here than you would think; there’s not much here.”
Symone Smith, 11
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“Having fun.”
What’s your favorite subject in school?
“Math.”
What is something you wish parents understood about going to school in Milwaukee?
“We get up too early.”
Alexis Trujillo, 13
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“Being successful for my freshman school year in high school. I feel great because I get to meet new people, new friends, and I feel good about my teachers.”
What is something you wish parents understood about going to school in Milwaukee?
“Not everything is easy. Sometimes it’s difficult, and sometimes we suffer in classes because we don’t understand.”
Maurice Johnson, 11
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“I’m looking forward to having a good day, having fun after school with sports, like track and football.”
Any advice to your classmates in school?
“Stay good. Stay well.”
Tamia Lewis, 12
What are you most looking forward to about going back to school this year?
“To get good grades, go to the next grade and make my parents happy.”
What is something you wish parents understood about going to school in Milwaukee?
“It’s harder now; it just gets harder each day.”
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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