On the first day of school, classes started at 7:20 in the morning. Most kids arrived around half an hour before, but one new student was in the building for more than an hour before.

Junior Layla Sharaf was the first person to arrive at South Lakes High School on September 6.

Sharaf attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington D.C. for their Literary, Media and Communications program. However, this year she decided to switch over to South Lakes, where she will continue in the journalism program.

At 6:10 a.m., Sharaf walked into the empty halls of South Lakes on the first day of school.

“It really stinks to wake up at 5 a.m. after summer and come to school early,” said Sharaf.

Due to a problem with her schedule, Sharaf wanted changes to be made before school started so she could go to the right classes on the first day. Counselors are in charge of changing student’s schedules, so when Tracey Albert, Sharaf’s counselor, couldn’t be found, Sharaf was posed with a problem.

The only people in school at the time were the office staff, so she told Liz Knapp, the main office receptionist, that she needed her schedule fixed.

Unfortunately for Sharaf, Knapp couldn’t do anything about it.  With the wrong schedule not affecting first period, she carried on and began her day with a hopeful attitude.

“I was really excited to begin my day,” said Sharaf. “Even though my schedule was wrong, I was hoping to find Ms. Albert as soon as possible.”

After first period ended, Sharaf found Albert and made the necessary changes to her schedule.

“I made it to all my classes and look forward to the rest of the year,” said Sharaf.