When sophomore Londyn Ryan heard that she was returning to Louisiana, she was nervous.  Ryan’s previous school experience were not positive.

“We had to wear uniforms, and the people were not nice,” Ryan said.

Ryan will not be enrolling in a traditional high school because of her prior experience in Baton Rouge; instead she will be homeschooled.

“The teachers gave up on the students (in Louisiana).  There was a fast curriculum, and it was an advanced school,” Ryan said.

In August of 2013, Ryan moved to Ballwin and enrolled at West High.

“My favorite memory was Yearbook, because I got so close to everyone.  It was a great experience,” Ryan said.

The only person whose face she recognized in the beginning was her cousin, sophomore Ellie Workman, whom Ryan had a class with.

“We had Mr. Piccinni for Bio and really liked the labs.  There was a lab where we got the laptops out and looked at the chromosomes.  We had to figure out genetic diseases,” Ryan said.

While Ryan adjusted to her new life, things came to an abrupt halt at the beginning of February.

“I came home from school and my mom had packed our bags.  She said our last day was Feb.14,” Ryan said.

Ryan found it challenging to leave on such short notice.

“The most difficult thing about moving was saying goodbye to everyone.  It made me feel sad and happy at the same time,” Ryan said.

Ryan’s past experience in Louisiana made her appreciate her new academic surroundings.

“I really enjoyed my time at West.  It’s the best school I’ve ever been to,” Ryan said.