Isiah Svoboda is very involved in Sartell High School. This senior has performed in West Side Story as the lead, swims on the swim team, and is very talented musically. Isiah makes friends all over, not just in one particular group. These are his responses to my interview.

1. Are cliques present at Sartell High School? Do they pose any problems here?

Cliques are definitely present here although they aren’t really that severe. I do feel like the younger classmen have more of a problem with cliques; they are less inclusive.

2. Would you say you fit into a clique, if so how would you describe it?

I tend to roam around group-wise. I can switch between different kinds of cliques pretty easily. I’m probably more in the music and theater clique if anything.

3. Do you think it would be easy to switch cliques or move around?

It can be hard at first, you have to be careful joining a new group. It gets easier as you start to know people better. I think today it is harder to move around as opposed to the past because cliques are more defined and tight-knit.

4. You mentioned you were new to the school, how was that transition?

I was new freshman year, I definitely noticed the cliques at first. It wasn’t too hard to find a spot to fit in because freshman year everyone had just made the big transition to high school.

5. Finally, do you think the administration should be involved when it comes to cliques?

I don’t think they need to be involved right now, cliques are natural for high schoolers. If they become worse and start to involve bullying or something else I think the administration might have to get involved.