As the end of the year approaches, so does course selection. On Dec. 5 and Dec. 7, counselors presented the course selection process during W4. Students will be able to choose their courses for the next school year starting in the beginning of January. This is significantly earlier compared to last year, since course selection is usually towards the end of the month. With so little time to think about it, this leaves many with the same problem: what electives should I take?
Compiled are seven interesting electives that you should consider taking if you’re unsure about your course enrollment for the next year.

1. Personal Fitness

Get a free workout and become your best self

Who teaches the class?
Hannah Ekanem is one of the personal fitness teachers. She recently moved here from Texas and this is her first year at AHS. In additon, Ekanem teaches Health and PE 10.

What does a normal class look like?
“Every class we start off by doing a dynamic warm up, high knees, some ladder work and other dynamic movements,” said senior Muhammead Vabal. “Then we do about 5 minutes of static stretching to make sure we are ready to begin.”
“After Mrs. Ekanem lets us get our folders where we log our workouts and where we track how much weight we use. Then we get into our groups of three and start on the workout Mrs. E wants us to complete during the day,” Vabal said.

Difficultly level
“It’s moderately easy,” said senior Audrey Nguyen. “It is personalized and you are encouraged to push yourself in order to get as much out of personal fitness.”

Sample project
There’s not really any “projects” in Personal Fitness. Instead, students perform a variety of excercises. For example, a lower body workout can have a warmup of dynamic and static stretches ranging from high knees and inch worms to butterflies and trunk lifts.
The workout itself would consist of a multitude of excercises targeting your lower body, such as squats and burpees, and then a cooldown with your core through planks and leg lifts.

How does it help students?
Personal Fitness promotes student physical health and helps them stay in shape. “I would encourage other people to take it. This is a good opportunity to get fit and healthy,” said Nguyen. “I like this class because girls and boys are pushed to the same expectations. It is definitely an inclusive class. especially with one of the teachers being a woman.”

2. Photography

Where students learn to capture the moment

Who teaches the class?
Students will be delighted when they enter Photography and find that they have Erin Mahooney as their teacher. “She is a really great teacher, she’s understanding and fun to be around too,” said sophomore Rosselin Escalante-Dominquez.

What does a normal class look like?
Photography is a class where they bring the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” to life. Students will develop a portfolio throughout the year with their all of their works express themselves through pictures.
They are able to hone their photography skills and garner a a wider understanding of how to take the perfect photos, incorporating certain techniques and skills.
“During the class we work on our sketchbooks and we have step-by-step descriptions of what we are working on,” said Escalante-Dominquez.

Difficultly level
Like with most classes, it is easy to keep your grade up in the class if you simply listen to the teacher and complete your assignments. “The class is easy as long as you do the work. It’s actually pretty fun, too,” said Escalante-Dominquez.

Sample project
“A project we worked on, which was fun and simple was the pinhole assignment,” said Escalante-Dominquez. “We were able to go outside and take pictures by making a camera in a box or container.”
Additionally, each month, students will study the history of photography and the works of famous photographers to further develop their own skills and apply them to show their learning.
“Every month we study and learn about famous photographers,” said Escalante-Dominquez. “Once we understand what they have done, our class will have projects on taking photos just like the photographers did.”

How does it help students?
Photography is a great way for students to become more creative and gain a fun, expressive outlook on the world with the techniques they learn. “It really helps to unlock creativity and finding ways to take beautiful pictures and see different views of life,” said Escalante-Dominquez.

3. Photojournalism

Collect memories for students to look back on

Who teaches the class?
Emily Lockwood teaches Photojournalism and is the advisor for the yearbook, alongside teaching English 9.

What does a normal class look like?
Photojournalism is the class in charge of AHS’s Antenna yearbook, where they compile the school year into a singular book for everyone to look back on.
“Throughout the year we gather all the memories and put them in a book where everyone can see the recap and the people of 2023-2024,” sophomore Sheyla Ramos said. “We interview people based on certain topics given and take pictures of school events and what’s going on around the school.”

Difficultly level
It can become somewhat difficult if you are someone who struggles with deadlines and cannot meet them on time.
“One thing I don’t like is the short amount of time we have to complete our layouts,” said Ramos. “But it can be fun sometimes collaborating with others and coming up with ideas.”
Overall it’s an easy class because documenting student life can be a really enjoyable process as you get to interview your peers and connect with them, though if you are shy and can’t easily walk up to someone to ask them a few questions, this may not be the class for you.

Sample Project
Taking photojournalism as a class means you are now on the yearbook team. It ultimately produces the yearbook for students to purchase and look back on, and is pretty much the only assignment you have. Along the way there are interviews the staff must conduct, important pictures to take and many other waypoints the yearbook staff must complete in order to ensure nothing about the year is left out or forgotten.

How does it help students?
Photojournalism is a great way to get involved in the school community. “I like that we are able to socialize and talk to different people,” said Ramos. Contributing to the yearbook is also an amazing opportunity to make sure all of these different people get represented and recognized for their achievements, whether they are a performing arts student, an athlete, or just a regular person everyone can relate to.

4. Animation

Try something new and acquire a skill

Who teaches the class?
Animation is taught by Carmen Lucas, who graduated with a degree in art and has a little bit of experience with photography.

What does a normal class look like?
Students who take this class create animations based on the techniques and history they study about in class.
“We learn the history of animation and we take what we learned and apply it to the project were assigned afterwards,” said sophomore Aimee Wijesinghe.

Difficultly level
Animation is actually a pretty fun course to take. You express yourself visually in a creative way, and pick up a new skill at the same time.
However, before you pick up the tablet and pen, you might want to pick up a paper and pencil. You have to know the basics and how to draw before you start can start on your animations, because there’s no use in animating a blank page.
“Something to consider for anyone wanting to take the class is that you have to have basic drawing skills,” said Wijesinghe. “You of course don’t have to be a master but it will be difficult if you’ve never drawn and then take animation.”

Sample Project
The course name is a little more than self-explanatory, but in Animation, students create 2D and 3D animations using computer softwares incorporating specific themes or techniques.
Currently, they are working on animating something that is connects to themselves.
“We’re working on our personal transformation animation,” said Wijesinghe. “It’s where we have to animate something that transforms into something else but it also relates to our life in one way or another.”

How does it help students?
“It helps me by making me think in new perspectives,” said Wijesinghe. “For example, one of our projects was to animate a character walking. Before Animation I didn’t put that much thought into the process of an animator. It seemed like all you
have to do is move one leg and another then rinse and repeat.”
Animation helps broaden the way students think about animated films and how much effort it takes for animators to produce their works. At the same time. they develop their own animation skills by studying and applying skills firsthand.
Additionally, they pay attention to even the smallest details, as there are so many parts to an animation that you won’t be able to see just by looking at it.
“After taking the class I realized there was so much more to it than that, like the head, you’d think the head doesn’t do much but if you don’t animate the it the whole thing looks stiff,” said Wijesinghe. ” You have to think about the pacing and think about how each of the other body parts move when walking.”

5. Guitar

Learn how to play a classic instrument

Who teaches the class?
Guitar is taught by William Ikner, who is perfect for the class with all of his experience with guitar and music in general. He received his bachelor’s
degree in classical guitar performance from Past Carolina University, then his Doctorate of Musical Arts from Shenandoah Conservatory, and finally his PhD in Music Education at Auburn University.

What does a normal class look like?
A typical class is laid back, but still focused. The work is pretty much the same as all other instrument classes. “We practice our music in the beginning of class for around 30 to 40 minutes individually and then we rehearse as a class.” said junior Marina Bonilla-Gomez.
Alongside learning new music to play, students also work on their playing techniques. “Regularly, we practice the music Mr. Ikner gives us. We also practice different techniques and sight reading” said sophomore Jyzel Raquepo.

Difficultly level
Those who already are familiar with the guitar will have an easy time with this class. Even if they aren’t, they should still give it a chance and maybe even pick up a new hobby. “It’s not hard because Mr. Ikner will help you from the beginning and he teaches you the basics of the guitar.” said Bonilla-Gomez.

Sample Project
Students’ grades will be reflected in the music they play, whether it be a simple playing test or performing at a concert. “Right now we’ve been working on a few songs for our concert in January,” said Bonilla-Gomez.

How does it help students?
Students should not see their electives as a burden. Music is a fun way to express yourself, and it should not be stressful, and guitar fits that perfectly. “Guitar helps me relax when I am really stressed with my IB classes and homework. It takes me to a good place in my mind.” said Bonilla-Gomez.

6. IB Film Studies

More than just a move theatre, dive into your favorite films

Who teaches the class?
IB Film Studies is taught by Alan Weintraut, who has been teaching it for 20 years. It is a two-year course for juniors and seniors, and AHS was one of the first twenty schools to offer it.

What does a normal class look like?
In IB Film Studies, students watch a variety of movies from different time periods and genres and study them. Though it may sound like a fun, lax class, there is still work involved, so don’t walk in with a bowl of popcorn and expect to walk out with an A.
“We mainly focus on different elements in filmmaking, whether it be film structure or cinematography,” said junior Annabella Ton. “What we usually do in the class is we focus on different strengths in film throughout the year and watch movies that highlight that part.”

Difficultly level
It is essentially a film appreciation class, and students will study films by watching them and discussing with their peers. Those who pay attention will have no trouble with this class and will easily maintain an A. “It’s pretty easy, you just have to pay attention,” said senior Sibyl Dauer.

Sample Project
“Most of the time, we either do presentations about different aspects in film or we take tests asking questions about movies we have watched during class,” said Ton.
The classwork is relatively easy. As long as you watch the movies, the assignments should be a piece of cake. And how hard can it be to watch a movie?
“We chose a freeze frame from a movie and analyzed how it was lit and where the characters were in the frame,” said Dauer.

How does it help students?
Not only is IB Film Studies an easy IB class to take, it will also help students gather a deeper appreciation for the art of filmmaking. “IB Film studies helps me understand the art in cinema.” said Dauer.
Those who choose to continue this course in their senior year will be able to go from the audience to the director, as it is more in “production-mode” and students will learn more about what goes on behind the camera.

7. Yoga for Wellness

Find balance and elevate your day

Who teaches the class?
Madison Morella teaches Yoga For Wellness. She attended Slippery Rock University for a bachelor’s in school wellness education. “She is the best,” said junior Abel Yeneneh. “She is my favorite teacher.”

What does a normal class look like?
“We practice poses and we watch yoga videos for more advanced poses that we need guidance on.” said Yeneneh. “Every once and a while there is a slideshow or an assignment but for the most part we are actually practicing.”

Difficultly level
As per it’s name, Yoga for Wellness promotes student wellness and encourage them to be their best selves, and there is no stress involved. “It’s pretty easy,” said Yeneneh.

Sample Project
“We just recently finished a project. My partner and I made an outline of 15 poses and then we made a video,” said Yeneneh. “We then uploaded it to YouTube so Ms. Morella can see it and it was pretty fun.”

How does it help students?
Yoga for Wellness is “extremely beneficial for students’ physical and mental health. Yoga teaches students the importance of stretching, breathing, relaxation, and so much more,” said Yoga for Wellness teacher Madison Morella. “I have students that are experienced with Yoga, students that have never tried Yoga, and athletes that are interested in learning about Yoga… it is great to see how each, and every student is able to perform poses from beginner to advanced. It is my goal to encourage more students to take Yoga and really learn something from it, whether it be physical or mental!”