High school can be a challenging time for anybody, but jackhammer noise, dust and hallway detours are not typical parts of the experience.
Students at Churchill High School persevered through these types of challenges as their surroundings were overhauled and renovated during the past two years.
“WE'D GET INTO a class and there would be no heat," said junior Amanda Cokinos. "There would be dust everywhere; it was really hard."
Cokinos and her fellow junior Paige Cerano were among the Bulldog Ambassadors, greeting entrants to the school at the front door during open house.
"It was frustrating when you'd be sitting in class and you'd hear jackhammers and the desks would shake," said Cerano.
In the Health and Nutrition room, sophomore Heidi Allen was cooking spanakopita, and samples were available for the room's visitors. Few, if any, lasted long enough to reach room temperature.
The room where Allen was cooking was expanded and features more ovens after renovation, rewards for the obstacles Allen and other Churchill students endured.
"One day you'd come to school and there would be a random wall separating two classes," said Allen. "You quickly found different routes to take."
SENIORS BEN PIPER and Nikki Naderi walked visitors through a hands-on experiment producing DNA in the Biology lab. The two also demonstrated a computer program that simulates the reproduction of genetic traits in fruit flies, sans the ether and trapped live insects that accompany the experiment.
When asked how she coped with construction noise, Naderi said, "Screaming at the construction people; we had to get all the aggression out. They were pretty good about it, actually. They would stop the jackhammers for a period."
Sophomores Ilan Moyer, Sara Scott and Alex Scott operated a mobile electromagnet in the pre-engineering room.
Moyer put air quality at the top of the list among difficulties the renovation caused, because of all the dust.
WHILE CHURCHILL seniors will only spend a more few weeks in the completed environs before graduation, the class below them stands poised to reap the benefits after all they have endured.
Juniors Lauren Banks and Bret Chung were unanimous in what they look forward to in their senior years: "Parking."
With the parking lot also under reconstruction, new student drivers faced a daily race to find limited offsite parking spots.
Junior Robby Stein echoed the sentiments of his classmates.
"We're used to having our parking lot, and a week later they destroy it and rebuild another one in another location."
Stein and senior Jeff Alberg were working in the yearbook office, removed from all the commotion downstairs. The two editors both pointed out that the school's reconstruction was not going unnoticed in the yearbook.
"We have lots of coverage" of reconstruction, said Stein. "We have a complete spread. The students on the staff cover [the reconstruction] as well, take pictures and interview to get other student voices heard. Now that it's finished, we're trying to bring some closure."
"The toughest part has been temperature changes, the dirt and the lack of a permanent environment," said Alberg. "It was a little inconvenient, but it's nice to see the whole product."
CHURCHILL'S GIRLS basketball team, Maryland state champions, played a scrimmage in the main gym.
Sophomore Morgan Hatten, a member of the basketball team as well as the girls lacrosse team, was particularly fond of the renovated gym.
"The gym is my favorite part, because I play here all winter," Hatten said at the end of the scrimmage.
Like so many of her fellow students, the renovation ends a string of challenges for Hatten. "My first day on my freshman year, I couldn't find my classes," she said, but added with a laugh, "I've kind of got it under control now."
"The way the school has changed over these years is amazing," said Allen in the Health and Nutrition room. "It was so hard to imagine your school looking like it does now."
Pointing out skylights, the courtyard and the bright interior, Naderi in the Biology lab says, "It's a very open and happy school now."