Falcon Flyout: Seniors Return to Orange Grove with Wisdom and Advice

Posted Date: 05/01/26 (05:00 PM)

There's a particular kind of full-circle moment that only happens in CFSD when our graduating seniors return to their elementary and middle schools. On Friday, nearly 100 CFHS seniors put on their blue caps and gowns, made the short trip back to Orange Grove Middle School, and sat down in the same classrooms where they once worried about lockers and homework. Their job: answer every question presented to them about high school.

This is the Falcon Fly Out. Middle school students get to hear real talk about high school directly from the students who've lived it. The seniors, weeks away from graduation, get to look back at four years with some perspective and put words to what they've learned.

Both groups walk away with something. The questions ranged from the practical to the philosophical. How does the block schedule work? Where do you go for homework help? What's lunch like? Is bullying a problem? How do you stay organized when Friday's class doesn't meet again until Tuesday? And then, the bigger ones. What's the biggest lesson you learned in high school? How have you changed?

The seniors did not hold back.

On work ethic: "If you're used to taking classes and homework seriously in middle school, that transfers over. It's a good habit to make. But high school takes more independence. It's on you."

On finding your people: "Be yourself. Find a good group of people, people who like you for you. You'll find your people."

On stepping out of your comfort zone: "It's something I'm still learning how to do, even as a senior. Try different things. There's so much that CFHS has to offer, and no one is going to do it for you. You have to do it yourself. Even if you don't love it, you'll meet people, and that's a good experience."
On the biggest change in themselves: "I think I'm a braver person now. There were so many things I was terrified to do going into high school that feel normal now. And it all happened by doing the things I was scared to do."
On asking for help: "There are so many places to go. Counselors. NHS tutoring. Math Lab. Link Crew leaders. Teacher office hours on Monday or Friday mornings. People want to help you."
On homework: "It really depends on the classes you take and the teachers you have. You have control over your schedule. Just maybe don't take seven AP classes."
On college prep, from a senior who has clearly been through it: "Start early. Ask for letters of recommendation early, because teachers get really overwhelmed. Make good connections with your teachers. Volunteer. Colleges want a well-rounded student."

There were the small revelations, too. That you don't really use your locker. That the snack bar has ice cream. That Spanish Film is one of the best classes at CFHS. That AP US History was harder than expected, but worth it. That the freedom of high school is real, but so is the responsibility that comes with it.

By the end of the morning, the Panthers had gotten a crash course in high school. The seniors had practiced something they'll do many more times in the years ahead: looking back, telling what they learned, and offering it forward to someone who needs it.

A huge thank you to the CFHS seniors who came back to Orange Grove, and to the Orange Grove teachers and staff who created a space where this kind of honest, generational handoff could happen.