WOODBURY- At Nonnewaug High School there is a notable difference from it to other schools around: a renowned agriculture program. Students from towns near and far come to Nonnewaug High School so that they can join the ag program and be able to indulge in this rare experience. However, moving to a new place can make it hard to adapt to a new environment. 

Mackenzie Blood is a freshman at Nonnewaug who came for the ag program. She is from Seymour, Connecticut and notes that each morning it takes her a 35 to 40 minute trip just to get to school. For students like Blood, having to travel so far to get to school can sometimes cause problems. 

“It’s worth it because the exceptional ag program has helped widen my knowledge of something I want to have a future in,” said Blood. “The school community is also very kind and welcoming and all of the students have been friendly.”

Sharon Gomes, Nonnewaug High School’s social worker, understands the attraction for students who want to attend NHS despite the distance.

“We have some kids from nearby, and others from towns near New Haven that are really about 45 minutes away. It’s hard when you live that far away.” 

There are a lot of things coming from further away that could make the adjustment to high school much harder. For example, not always having a ride, not knowing other people and having to wake up super early-all meanwhile adjusting to a new town. 

Gomes sees a lot of students in her role at NHS and sees some of these challenges for this year’s new agriscience students.

“As a freshman you don’t drive, so to get your parents to pick you up, it’s kind of like this catch 22,” said Gomes. “You live far away and you can’t always get involved in activities. And they get up so early so their tired a lot.”

Another big challenge in adjusting is that most students coming in from out of town don’t know many other students at Nonnewaug. 

For some freshmen, meeting new friends comes with a learning curve. 

Freshman student Harper Whitney of Watertown navigated this exact scenario. 

 “It’s kind of different being here because I don’t really know anyone,” Whitney said. 

Despite the new setting and new faces for this year’s 9th grade agriscience students, making connections happens quickly. 

“I know people now that I’ve been here for two weeks,” Blood said. 

While a new school can be intimidating, NHS welcomes all students and ensures that environment is a place students enjoy coming to school. 

“It was kind of scary but it’s not as bad as I thought it was,” Blood said. “Everyone was super nice and welcoming.”

For NHS faculty, creating an inclusive campus makes these transitions easier for new students. 

“I do think it’s taking a chance when you come here because you have to make a whole new set of friends,” Gomes said. “But I also think our kids are pretty welcoming to new people, so I think that makes things easier.” 

Whitney stated that she finds the people here “inclusive”. “It’s been good making friends. Everyone here is really nice.” she stated.

Living further away has its upsides. One point Gomes added was how it made the school system more diverse. 

“I think it adds a lot of variety and diversity to the population,” Gomes said, noting how this could give students “different experiences” and how it’s “fun to talk to kids from other towns.”

All in all it can be hard moving to a new place with new people, but it’s worth the commitment and the risk. 

 “I love it,” Gomes said. “It’s really fun, it’s a fun part about the job and I do think our kids like it too because they can make new friends.”