www.roanoke.com

Photos by Helen Bower | Cave Spring High School

Leah Smith, who moved to Roanoke from Jupiter, Fla., said playing volleyball at Cave Spring has helped her make friends at her new school.

Cave Spring High School Lauren DeGidio (left) and Leah Smith work on a project in the Cave Spring High School library. The sophomores are new to Cave Spring this year.

Everyone knows you're the new kid in ninth grade. Freshman year is a totally clean start: The teachers, classmates, and even the school are new to you. But what if you switch schools one year later, when you're a sophomore?

"There are so many people!" said Lauren DeGidio, one of the new sophomores at Cave Spring High School. "That's definitely the most intimidating part."

Lauren, a Virginia native, moved to Pennsylvania in sixth grade. And now that she's back in Roanoke, it's like everything is finally coming together. "I have to say that I like Virginia better. It must be the Southern hospitality," she said.

Leah Smith, another new sophomore at Cave Spring, moved from Jupiter, Fla., over the summer. Born in Salem, Leah is happy to be back home. "Roanoke is such a nicer town. Everyone is so supportive. It really is all that Southern hospitality," Leah agreed.

Another thing both girls seem to agree on is that participating in activities outside of school helped them to make really special friends.

"Before I moved to Pennsylvania, I danced at Divine Dance Center. Now that I'm back, Divine has helped me catch up with old friends, and also make some new ones," Lauren said.

Leah said that in addition to her classes, playing sports makes developing friends easier. "Volleyball is definitely my favorite thing about Cave Spring right now," said Leah, a middle hitter for the Knights' junior varsity team, adding that volleyball makes school all the more interesting. "Earlier in the summer, I went to a team camp with all of the other girls at the University of North Carolina. The bonding was just so exciting."

Lauren said her favorite thing about Cave Spring is the opportunity to attend classes at the Arnold R. Burton Technology Center. "I take classes at Burton in the mornings. I am enrolled in the performing arts school there."

Of course, switching schools doesn't come without its challenges. "The most surprising difference between my old school and this one is the switch from a 10-point grading system to a seven-point grading system. It's practically a whole new way to look at how you do in school," Leah said.

Lauren, on the other hand, said the schedules at Cave Spring are going to take a little getting used to. "At my old school, we had a block schedule. Now, I don't know what to think."

All in all, both girls agree that Roanoke has its charms. "Up north, no one listens to country music," Lauren said. "I'm so glad to be somewhere that plays country music. I missed it."

Leah said, "Roanoke is such an amazing city. Especially the downtown; it's so historic and quiet. It is relaxing."

Moreover, Lauren and Leah say that moving to Roanoke and going to Cave Spring was the right decision. Maybe being new as a sophomore isn't that bad.