The craziest thing about time is how fast it moves. At the beginning of this school year, I kept telling myself, “I still have a whole year with my brother, there is nothing to worry about.” Now, somehow, graduation is already past, and it has finally hit me that this is my last summer with him before he leaves for college.
Time Moves Faster Than You Think
As a freshman, having an older brother who was a senior made starting high school so much easier. Since I was the only person from my middle school going to Jesuit, I was nervous about almost everything. He showed me around, introduced me to many people, and made me feel like I belonged at Jesuit from the start. I do not think I realized it at the time, but he is my role model, and I was lucky to have him guide me through my first year at Jesuit.
Realizing he is leaving is a scary thought. My brother has always been one of my best friends, and I have never really known what life is like without him around all the time. We are always together, whether it be at school, at home, working out together, or spending time together on the weekends. It is weird to think that next year I will walk through the halls of Jesuit without seeing him there. Even though I am excited for him and everything college will bring, part of me still wishes time would slow down a little. I think this change will be just as hard for me as it is for him, because after being inseparable for so long, it is hard to imagine things being different.
Starting Freshman Year with a Guide
On the first day of school, panic set in fast. I roamed the halls carelessly, not knowing anyone and trying to fit in. But then I ran into my brother; he immediately comforted me and showed me the ropes. His introducing me to his friends and taking me to my classes made me feel as if I belonged at Jesuit because I knew that I had a friend by my side who had my back.
After that, I made lots of friends and found my place. The company and reassurance of my brother changed my whole freshman year, and I am so thankful for him. It made going to school feel less intimidating knowing I always had someone I could turn to if I needed help. Looking back now, I realize that those small moments of support had a much bigger impact on my confidence than I understood at the time.
A Brother as a Role Model
Ever since I was little, I have always looked up to my brother. I admire his confidence, intellectual competence, and his dedication to building both a strong mind and body. Watching him grow through high school showed me what consistent effort and discipline can look like in real life. Jesuit helped shape him through competitive sports, service opportunities, challenging courses, and meaningful retreats. I saw how those experiences pushed him to become more responsible and disciplined. Balancing multiple AP and honors classes with year-round varsity sports taught him time management and resilience. He also learned the importance of leadership through teamwork and community service.
Over time, I noticed his work ethic grow stronger and more consistent in everything he did. Jesuit did not just improve his academics and athletics but also helped him develop strong character and values. Seeing his growth has motivated me to follow a similar path. I hope to challenge myself in the same ways through academics, sports, and service. Like my brother, I want to become more confident, disciplined, and well-rounded. His experience at Jesuit showed me what is possible when someone commits fully to their goals. Because of him, I hope to achieve similar results and grow into the best version of myself.
Another Freshman’s Experience
After talking to my fellow freshman Andy Weaver, he also reflected on just how important his brother was during his first year of high school. Starting at Jesuit was intimidating for him at first, but having his brother there as a senior made it much easier. He said his brother was a role model who “showed [him] the ropes” and helped him feel comfortable right away. Seeing how confident and respected his brother was gave him someone to look up to and helped him figure out the kind of person he wanted to be.
He also explained that his brother made freshman year less stressful by giving him advice about teachers, classes, and how things work at Jesuit. Having someone he trusted to guide him made it easier to adjust and feel at home while at school. When I asked him about his favorite memory, Andy talked about something simple: getting driven to school together. Even though it seems small, he said those moments of talking and laughing in the car are what he will remember most. Now that his brother is graduating, he realizes how much he will miss those everyday routines. Overall, Andy feels proud and happy for his brother, but also sad that things are changing. He’s excited for his brother’s next chapter in college, but it’s hard for him to imagine school without him being there every day.
Shared Experiences and Common Fears
One major similarity between Andy’s experience and mine was the nervousness we both felt entering Jesuit Dallas as freshmen. Since high school was such a new environment, both of us felt intimidated by the unfamiliar hallways, harder classes, and pressure to fit in. However, having older brothers there as seniors made the transition much easier for both of us.
Our brothers acted as role models who guided us, introduced us to people, and helped us feel more comfortable at school. We both relied on them for advice and reassurance throughout freshman year, which made us feel less alone during such a stressful adjustment. Another similarity is that we both realized how meaningful even small moments with our brothers became, whether it was seeing them in the halls or spending time together before school. Now that they are graduating, we both feel a mix of pride, sadness and nervousness because it is hard to imagine school without them at Jesuit.
Memories Made Through Baseball
Not only did my brother have a big impact on me, but the entire senior class did as well. This year I played both fall and spring baseball, which gave me the opportunity to bond with many upperclassmen and learn from them. Being around older teammates helped me become more comfortable and confident, both on and off the field. They always included me and made me feel like I was truly part of the team, even as a freshman.
Recently, I was called up to the varsity team for playoffs, and it became one of the most memorable experiences of my freshman year. Even though the seniors are three grades older than me, that never stopped us from connecting and having fun together. This past week, we traveled to Abilene, Texas for a playoff round, which included a three-hour bus ride and two nights staying in hotel rooms together. Spending that much time with my teammates allowed me to grow closer to them and create memories I will never forget.
Some of my favorite moments were actually the simplest ones. After games, we would relax by playing video games together or playing hacky sack in the hotel. Even though those moments may seem small, they had a huge impact on me because they made me feel like I was part of a real community. Through baseball, I realized that high school is not just about classes and competition, but also about the friendships and connections that make experiences meaningful.
Why Every Freshman Needs a Role Model
I would recommend that incoming freshmen actively try to find a role model when they start high school. Whether it is an older sibling, a teammate, a senior in a club, or even a teacher or coach, having someone to look up to can make a huge difference. High school can feel overwhelming at first, and it is easy to feel like you are on your own, but having someone who has already been through it helps make the transition smoother. A role model does not have to be perfect; they just need to be someone who sets a good example and is willing to guide you along the way. That support can help you feel more confident, more comfortable, and more connected to the school community.
Looking back, I realize how much my brother and the older students around me shaped my freshman year in ways I did not fully understand at the time. Because of them, I was able to grow more confident, make new friends, and feel like I belonged at Jesuit from the beginning. I would tell any incoming student not to be afraid to ask questions, reach out or build relationships with older students. Those connections can turn a stressful new environment into something meaningful and even enjoyable. Having someone to learn from does not just make high school easier, it helps you grow into a better version of yourself.
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