A group of future Lakeside High School freshmen recently deviated from the typical registration meetings most eighth-grade pupils endure to learn what it really takes to make it in high school.
Nearly 20 Lakeside Middle School eighth-graders met with three Lakeside High students Tuesday to learn about the transition from middle to high school.
Two of the high school students said they got off to a rough start in ninth grade, and they hoped to prevent the younger pupils from repeating their mistakes.
Senior Kenny Rosier, 17, told the eighth-graders to keep up with their studies in their freshman and sophomore years so their junior and senior years will be easier.
Kenny said he is doubling up on courses, taking online classes and will have to go to summer school to graduate.
"Homework is the main thing that messed me up," he said. "I never did homework."
Kenny also is working to help pay for college.
"The HOPE scholarship is pretty much already gone for me," he said.
Junior C.J. Marshall, 17, who plays football and basketball, said he started his high school career being tardy, sleeping in class and not doing his homework. Getting kicked off the ninth-grade basketball team because of poor grades was his wake-up call.
"Be focused. Do your homework. Be in class on time," C.J advised the eighth-graders.
Freshman Eric Lewis, 15, said attending Lakeside's Summer Panther Academy for freshmen who were at risk of getting off track helped him get off to a good start.
Eric, a member of Lakeside's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps drill team, said he had to adjust to having more independence in high school. He also put the constant disciplinary problems he had in eighth grade behind him.
"If I didn't do it, I would fail," he said.
Kenny offered more advice: "Leave the middle school drama behind."
That resonated with eighth-grader Jasmine Ocasio, 14. She said she has a tendency to "get caught up in situations."
Jasmine and her classmates Lashandra Walker, 13, and Jessica Holley, 13, said the high school students helped them by emphasizing the importance of homework and grades.
They also agreed that the advice was more meaningful coming from students, rather than adults.
"I would tell y'all I'll be there for you next year," Kenny said. "But, hopefully, I won't."
Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.
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