their eyes carry both excitement
and the weight of the unknown
they are leaving homes behind
tender roots pulled from soil
parents\' laughter an echo now
their own voices finding shape
this place breathes differently here
its corridors hum with history
the ones before them wait quietly
not to judge but to compare
will they sprint or stumble first
does brilliance dim under pressure
high school medals mean little here
this is a new game entirely
some will bloom like wildflowers
others will break, remold, and grow
all of them will walk away changed
this is a storm they must weather