Kansas to California: A Comfortable Change

Adelynn Conlee transferred to Encinal from Washburn Rural Middle School in Kansas. (Photo by Inky Arneson)

In the 2022-2023 school year, Encinal’s transfer enrollment has grown. The student body welcomes new student transfers internationally and from outside states and schools.

Freshman Adelynn Conlee, from Washburn Rural Middle School, is a transfer student from Kansas.

“High school is fine, not bad; I like most of my classes and teachers,” said Conlee. “There are new classes I wouldn’t have had to take in Kansas, like Ethnic Studies, Navigating Life, and Sex Ed… [Ethnic studies] is interesting. I’ve never had a class like that. It’s cool, but it’s different.”

In 2021, California State mandated all high school students take two new courses to graduate. One of these courses educates students on how “ethnic and racial groups whose history and traditions have been traditionally overlooked,” according to the Washington Post.

“In Kansas, there were white country conservative dudes,” said Conlee when asked whether or not Ethnic Studies should be required across the nation. “I feel like [ethnic studies curriculum] would be hard to implement with them. Like, their parents would get mad if the teacher mentioned white supremacy or anything.”

In addition to the change in courses when moving, Conlee has found Alameda to be a more comfortable environment.

“The community is really different in a good way,” Conlee said. “Alameda is safer.”

However, moving to a new school and environment comes with its difficulties. She struggled with making new companions among the students.

“The biggest challenge was making friends. Everyone here is pretty different from my other schools,” said Conlee.

Conlee also expressed an interest in joining sports and clubs, but said that because of her late enrollment, it was harder for her to join.

“I might take swimming in the spring, but clubs are pretty hard to join late in the school year,” said Conlee.

Changing schools comes with its hardships, but Conlee has advice for future transfer students.

“Try and talk to people,” said Conlee. “Ask questions, because you’re not going to get any answers to anything if you don’t ask questions.”

Inky Arneson contributed to this article.