At AHS, electives aren’t just extra classes; they’re a chance to explore what really sparks your interest. From business and career tech to music and the arts, electives give students the freedom to try something new or dive deeper into what they love. Some students stick to familiar favorites, while others use electives as a playground to discover new talents and hobbies. After all, high school is the perfect time to experiment, especially for free. With course selection coming up, now is the time to explore elective options for the 2026-2027 school year. Electives are more than just a break from core subjects; they’re a way to learn about yourself and express your creativity while experimenting with potential career paths. Take photography, for example. If you’ve ever been curious about capturing moments or editing photos, this class offers hands-on experience with digital cameras and editing software. It teaches not only technical skills but also how to see the world through a different lens.“If you want to learn how to develop pictures of a significant other or your friends, you can learn here. It’s a lot like listening, asking questions, you’ll know what you’re doing,” senior Jose Vera Puna said. Photography can open doors to many creative and professional opportunities, from personal projects to future careers in media or design. For students who enjoy working with their hands, 3D Art is a fantastic option. It’s more hands on than traditional drawing, allowing students to create tangible pieces like bowls or jewelry using clay. Beyond artistic skills, many find the process relaxing and a great way to relieve stress. “I’m a senior, and I have a lot of IB and Honors classes, so I decided to take 3D so I could have a calmer class,” senior Jannie Oroz co Ordon said. Other students take 3D Art to refine their creative process. “I’m taking 3D to expand on my creativi ty and challenge myself. For my clay piece, I challenged myself to go big and to try to build it as high as I could, all the way up to 25 inches,” sophomore Nataly Salmeron Gomez said. “This class is really fun, though it can be a mess, and so some people might not like it as much, but at the same time, you talk to a lot of people and have a lot of fun creating together.” Animation is another exciting new elective that blends art and storytell ing. Students learn stop-motion ani mation by drawing a series of slight ly different pictures and playing them back in sequence to create movement. Along with mastering new art pro grams, they also study different animation styles from f ilms, gain ing a deeper appreciation for the craft. This class encourages both creativ ity and tech nical skills, making it a unique expe rience for students interested in digital arts. Other creative electives like cho rus and guitar open doors for students with all levels of experience. Chorus is welcoming, whether you’ve been sing ing since elementary school or you’re trying it for the first time. The class groups students by vocal range, mak ing it easier to connect and build con f idence. “In the chorus, there’s a lot of free dom and yet also structure. We have a lot of music and rehearsals during the holiday season, where we need to learn a lot of music, but during the Broadway desserts season, we rehearse more on our own and get to choose more about how we practice,” junior Eugenia Riester said. Guitar class offers a vibrant commu nity for beginners and advanced play ers alike. Students learn to read music and perform in concerts throughout the year. Guitar students, along with the music department, were featured play ing the Star Spangled Banner on CBS Mornings, showcasing their hard work. Aside from concerts, many students play for fun and personal enjoyment. “I’m in Guitar 2, and Mr. Ikner teaches us how to read notes; you can play for fun whenever you want to for the rest of your life,” sophomore John Hart said. For those who are scared to take the first step, Guitar teacher Joey want to prepare students to understand the music and play the instrument so they can find their own musical voice, whether that’s in rock, country, jazz, or classical,” Ikner said. With so many electives to choose from, AHS students have the chance to explore new passions, develop skills, and make memories that last beyond the classroom. Electives provide a safe space to try new things, meet like minded peers, and discover talents you never knew you had. So why not take a chance, try something new, and see where your curiosity could possibly take you?