Clarkdale Elementary School third-graders Aaron Rios, Paisley Ivey, Kason Albritton and Jodi Ethridge were all smiles on their first day of school.

    Wednesday greeted Lauderdale County students to the first day of school.

    In addition to a new school year as well as new classmates and new teachers, many students at Southeast Lauderdale High School were enthusiastic about meeting their new principal, Russell Keene.

    “We have a new principal that’s making some new and exciting changes,” senior Madison Irby said. “We have a new parking lot, and so I’m excited about what’s in store.”

    Irby, who is cheer captain of the Southeast Lauderdale Cheerleading Squad, said she’s also excited to get back into that soon.

    “I’m excited about football season and getting our school spirit up more this year,” she said.

    Alec Marlow, also a senior, said he’s also looking forward to having a new leader on campus.

    “It’s good to have a new principal and the positive changes that can come with him,” Marlow said. “I’m also excited about baseball season.”

    Marlow summed up the first day back as “pretty good.”

    “Some of the classrooms have changed, so everyone is trying to figure out where they all are; but it’s been mostly good,” he said.

    Offering a younger perspective of the start of a new school year were Clarkdale Elementary School third-graders Aaron Rios, Jodi Ethridge, Kason Albritton and Paisley Ivey, who all were excited, but for different reasons.

    “School is good; I’m thinking I’m not going to get into trouble today,” Rios said. “I’m also excited because I get to play tackle football this year.”

    Jodi Ethridge said she is just glad to be back.

    “I just love school,” Ethridge said. “I do love summer and I like it more than school, but I still love school because I like to learn.”

    Kason Albritton said he is also looking forward to participating in the school sports now available to him.

    “I don’t like school because I would like to dive in a pool instead,” Albritton said. “This year, I get to play tackle football and I get to be like Dak Prescott.”

    Paisley Ivey said her favorite part of school is when she’s not there.

    “I like summer breaks,” she said. “But I do like math at school because my mom teaches math, and that helps me be good at it.”