For many students at BVN, having older siblings who previously attended the school can make navigating high school life easier. From advice on teachers and classes to opportunities to practice sports together, younger siblings often find themselves with a built-in support system.
Freshman Piper Schroering has two older siblings who both go to BVN. She says their experience has been beneficial as she begins her own high school journey.
“It’s nice because I can ask them for help with my work,” Schroering said. “They definitely gave me advice about my teachers, and that was really helpful.”
Schroering, who plays tennis and basketball, also appreciates having siblings to practice with outside of school. She explained that having siblings who share her interests has made it easier to grow as an athlete.
“It’s nice to be able to practice with them,” Schroering explained.
For junior Caroline Glenn, whose older sisters were on the cheer team at BVN, having family members who paved the way made her transition smoother, considering she went to a different middle school than most.
“I didn’t go to middle school as a feeder school, so I feel like [my siblings] kind of helped welcome me into BVN,” Glenn said.
Teachers and coaches have recognized Glenn because of her sisters, some even calling her by her sisters’ names, but she doesn’t feel it is a bad thing. Instead, she believes it’s a reminder of the support and impact her sisters had during their time at BVN.
“I’d say it’s not as much of a bad thing,” Glenn said. “I obviously look up to them, so it’s actually pretty nice.”
While some students feel pressure to live up to older siblings’ reputations, both Schroering and Glenn agree that positives outweigh negatives. Having a sibling who already knows the teachers, clubs and community led them to adjust more quickly, providing a built-in support system.
“It’s not really as big a deal as people make it,” Schroering said. “But it’s still pretty nice to have older siblings with you.”
Whether it’s helping navigate teacher expectations or lending encouragement on the field or court, older siblings can help pave the way for younger students at BVN, but also give them a sense of belonging.
“It just makes BVN feel more like home,” Glenn said.
