North Hills High School seniors excited for first day of school

As the North Hills School District had its first day of classes for the 2023-24 school year on Aug. 23, high school band members began the day by welcoming students back with a mini-concert.

“The first day of school is always such an exciting time in our district,” superintendent Patrick J. Mannarino said. “It’s a fun atmosphere and we’re just really looking forward to a great school year ahead.”

So are the students, especially the seniors.

Logan Filipcic, 17, North Hills, was ready to be in full swing for day one of his senior year at North Hills — literally. A member of the Indians’ boys golf team, his first match was scheduled for that same day but was postponed by rain. So, he would have to wait to continue his comeback from a torn hip that kept him off the course last year.

“Golf is probably my most important extracurricular (activity),” Filipcic said.

His goal is to qualify for the WPIAL tournament this year. After shooting a one over par (37) for nine holes at Pheasant Ridge Golf Club Aug. 21, it would seem he has a good chance.

Filipcic was happy to be back in school, enjoying the increased interaction with other kids, seeing friends and embracing learning opportunities.

The only drawback he said was having to transition from his summer sleeping schedule.

“(I was) waking up at 11 or whatever, going to bed at three a.m. Now I’m going to bed at 10 and waking up at six. Not too fun,” he said.

Otherwise, he’s looking to finish his senior year strong and prepare for majoring in marketing or accounting in college which, at the moment, leaves him with mixed emotions.

“There are going to be new things in my future with college and moving on from North Hills but it’s also sad because I grew up here and this has been everything to me basically,” Filipcic said. “It’s a lot to take in.”

Maddie Dubé, a 17-year-old senior from Ross, said being a senior comes with a lot of pressure to maintain good grades and get into a good college but she’s ready for it.

“I’m excited to challenge myself this year,” Dubé said, adding she’s interested in majoring in interior design in college.

In addition to keeping her grades up, Dubé said she’s also gearing up for swimming season and competing in the butterfly and freestyle events. “I’m hoping to go to WPIALs for as many relays as I can with my team and then hoping for at least one individual event this year.” It’s a goal she will be thinking about when those 5:45 a.m. practices come around.

But that’s not the only thing that would fulfill her senior year wishes.

“I would love to keep up with maintaining good grades and staying organized with all my school work and working (at the mall) and having a social life on top of that,” Dubé said. “I would like to maintain that sort of school/life balance and just enjoy it because it’s going to go really fast. I can feel it.”

Kaden Kalinowski, an 18-year-old senior from Ross, said he’s been looking forward to being back in school for over a month.

“I like school a lot,” Kalinowski said. “(The first day back) is more exciting than my birthday.”

At this point, Kalinowski has no plans to go to college and said he has his sights set on going to a trade school to learn sprinkler fitting.

“That would be installing systems to help prevent fires,” he said.

In the meantime, Kalinowski said his main objective is to enjoy his last year of high school.

“Just make more friends, make more connections. I missed my teachers so I’m going to get reconnected with them,” Kalinowski said. “It’s my last year of school so I’m just going to really try to enjoy it. I love learning and this is my last chance to do it in a controlled environment.”