SAN ANTONIO – The first day of classes at San Antonio-area Catholic schools on Wednesday meant new friends and new beginnings for students who said they have plenty to look forward to in the new school year.
Sixth-graders Isabella Gonzalez and Marissa Alcaraz walked into the halls for the first time at Providence Catholic School, the only Catholic school in San Antonio for female students sixth through 12th grades.
"I'm excited to do volleyball," Isabella said.
"Same thing," Marissa said.
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The Providence Progressions Dance Troupe has big goals for the new school year.
"Looking forward to ... prom, and making new memories with ... our new team members," Alexa Velez, a junior, said.
"Last week we came back from a dance camp," said Senior captain Emily Hoog. "We probably danced literally 14 hours. It was hard work."
Providence Catholic School produced one of the smartest classes ever in 2017, by setting a record for scholarships made at over $13 million, school officials said.
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Next door at Central Catholic High School, John Martinez, a junior, was prepared for the new school year.
John kept his alarm set for 6:30 a.m. during the summer.
"I just like waking up early. It's a good feeling. Get up early in the morning instead of sleeping in," he said.
Central Catholic, which was founded in 1852, is the oldest all-boys school in Texas.
"When you talk about where we have alumni who've fought in every war since the Civil War, that means something," Eddie Yvarra, the school's interim principal, said.
As the students figure out their lockers and take a seat, for seniors it's a final hurrah.
"You got to keep it sort of tame because you got to get into college, but I'm really looking to making the most out of my last year here," said Austin Vargas, a senior.
"There's a lot of unique experiences being a senior, student body president Andy Garcia said. "We finally get to be the big dog on campus. So I'm looking forward to being a leader, and going to the football games."
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