Senior Esrom Berhe is an editor-in-chief and photographer for the Rockville High School yearbook, and although this is his last year, he has a bright future planned along with many tips and tricks he’s picked up along the way. 

Behre feels that success is more about community than things you can measure.

“Success really means building a strong community, you know, having those bonds with people.” Berhe said. “I don’t measure my success on how much money I have or how, you know, just how much of something I have. I just think that having a really strong community and building those connections is success to me.”

Berhe focused on his education during his freshman and sophomore years so that he could set himself up correctly to succeed in his junior and senior years. He is content with the way he went about his productivity during his years as an underclassman and recommends that every incoming freshman do the same. 

“To incoming freshmen, I’d say, honestly, stay on top of whatever you’re doing, and also try a lot of new things, because freshman year, I’d say, is the one years where you really don’t care as much,” Berhe said.

He also recommends finding a balance between joining new activities and focusing on academics.

“Try out any sports, any clubs, but always make sure you’re on top of your grades because senior year it’ll catch up when your GPA is affected,” Berhe said. “You know, freshman year matters just as much as any other year. Try new things, meet new people.”

The growth between freshman year and senior year is one most students notice. While change can be scary, it is also liberating. Berhe is prepared to experience this change again, only this time as a college student.

“Freshman year, I was a bit immature. You know, I look forward to a lot of stuff [about college], but looking back, if I saw myself now back then, I would be really content with life and just happy with myself.” Berhe said.