SydneySchulze

Starting high school can be exciting. However, many uncertainties remain, even after the first week. 

One of the biggest changes students notice is the variety of backgrounds and experiences that make up Marian’s community. 

As Marian grows in numbers, its diversity grows too. While many students come from private Catholic schools, more and more girls are joining from public schools and beyond.

At Marian, students learn by asking questions and the Class of 2029, coming from so many different schools and backgrounds, has a lot to ask.

Freshman Emily Else comes from Saint Patrick’s in Elkhorn, where she played volleyball and softball. She has many fond memories from St. Pat’s, but one especially stands out.

“Usually, at the end of the year all the girls in eighth grade do a dance, and we all spent so long preparing for it, so it meant a lot to us, and we had a really fun time.” 

Now, Else is ready to move on to bigger and brighter things. At Marian, she is continuing her softball career as a swing, playing for junior varsity and varsity. Although being a swing takes a lot of time, Else hopes to get involved in other clubs, like Culinary Club, Paw Project and Marian Ambassadors.

Although she admitted, “I had no classes with anybody I knew,” Else was quickly put at ease when she saw how “everyone is so cheery and all the teachers are very understanding.”

Now that she’s getting into the swing of things, Else said she is “excited to expand.” 

Yet many questions linger. With Marian’s homecoming, or Gnimocemoh, coming up, Else wonders: “How does it work? Is it just casual wear? What do you wear?” These are perfect questions to ask your Peer-to-Peer leader in homeroom or even a random upperclassman you meet in your gym class.

The freshman class also welcomes Mekhronakhon Sultanova, all the way from Tajikistan, where she attended Oxford International School. Sultanova studied English intensively for two years before starting high school. Outside of studying, she enjoyed piano, gymnastics and her school’s drawing competition.

Coming to Marian has been a big change, but in all the best ways. 

“I love Marian…the programs and the ways of studying,” Sultanova said. 

Although Marian can be challenging, she sees it as a push to reach her full potential. 

“My parents have always said to choose your university, and my biggest goal is to make my parents proud, because without their support, I couldn’t come here to study,” Sultanova said. 

As a freshman, Sultanova already has big goals. She hopes to enrich her education and one day become an entrepreneur.

When she’s not preparing for that future, she enjoys her piano class and learning new languages. Sultanova is even considering joining a sport. Still, like any freshman, she has her questions. 

With Marian’s college-prep focus, she wonders: “Is Marian really a good school… Does it work?” This is a great question for seniors, alumnae and the counselors.  

For Sultanova and her family, who invested so much to make her education possible, the answers will matter not only for her future in college but also for her place in the Marian community. 

Junior Ashley Bialas attended Saint Pius X/St. Leo for grade school. Now, she is a member of Big Sisters and helps at many welcome events. Bialas is also involved in trapshooting, the Board of Belonging, and Smart Gen. After trying out lots of new activities at Marian, she’s ready to answer the freshmen’s toughest questions. 

Reflecting on 2025 neon Gnimocemoh, Bialas shared, “Last year some of my friends and I dressed up as Care Bears!” 

For students wondering how the dance works, she explained, “It’s similar to the welcome dance and is just a fun way to hang out with your friends or even meet new people.”

As a junior, Bialas is beginning to think about college. “Marian does a decent job at setting students up for success.” 

Marian gives you the tools but “it is almost useless if you don’t put in the work as well,” Bialas said. 

With a class of 168, there are plenty of questions still waiting to be answered. But the first step to figuring it all out is simply asking. Bialas, as a member of the Class of 2027, the Big Sister class to 2029, is just one example of the many people ready to help. So freshmen, don’t be afraid to reach out. Ask a senior, a big sister, a sophomore, a teacher, or a counselor.

And for the biggest questions? Ask Principal Dr. Susie Sullivan!