Walking into a new school as a junior can be intimidating , new classes, unfamiliar hallways and faces you haven’t grown up with. But for Brynn O’Neill, a recent transfer from Beachside High School, the transition to Bishop Kenny has been filled with school spirit, supportive students, and exciting new experiences.

O’Neill who joined BK this year, says the decision to transfer wasn’t random.

“We did camps at BK and were very impressed by the school and how respectful the students were,” O’Neill said.

That positive impression helped her feel confident when it came time to make the change.

Although she had never switched schools before, Brynn said Bishop Kenny made a strong first impression.

“It was very welcoming and people were helpful,” O’Neill said. “I was a little intimidated on my first day, but that went away really fast.”

One of the first things O’Neill noticed was the energy.

“I love all of the school spirit here,” O’Neill said with a smile. “The football games have been my favorite moments outside of class. The atmosphere is great.”

At Beachside, she was used to a consistent daily schedule something that’s quite different at Kenny.

“The schedules changing every day was definitely a surprise,” O’Neill said, “But I’ve gotten used to it.”

Now settled into her routine, O’Neill is taking classes like creative photography and journalism, and it’s her journalism class that stands out as a favorite.

“It helped me get to know my way around school fast and meet other people outside of my classes,” O’Neill said.

Outside the classroom, Brynn is diving headfirst into student life. She’s a member of the cheerleading team, Kenny Angels and the Medical Career Club, two new experiences she hadn’t tried before transferring.

“I’ve really enjoyed the sports programs so far,” O’Neill said. “And the school community is so supportive.”

Even though she misses “knowing everyone” from her previous school, O’Neill says she’s already made close friends at BK. And while there wasn’t anything she was particularly eager to leave behind at Beachside, she’s happy to be moving forward in a place that feels right.

When asked how she would sum up her time at BK so far, O’Neill doesn’t hesitate to say “It’s great. I’m really glad I came here.”

infographic by Liam Roberts