Fifth-graders sound off on first day of school

August 20, 2025

_{Godfrey Elementary fifth-graders talk about the first day of school}

Godfrey-Lee — With fresh, colorful paint on the walls and air conditioning flowing through the halls, Godfrey Elementary students hung their backpacks in their lockers and settled into their new classrooms.

On their first day of fifth grade, several shared with School News Network about what they were most looking forward to learning this year, and their favorite subjects in school.

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Alexis Stark

Alexis Stark is a reporter covering Byron Center, Caledonia, Godfrey-Lee, Kenowa Hills and Thornapple Kellogg. She grew up in metro Detroit and her journalism journey brought her west to Grand Rapids via Michigan State University where she covered features and campus news for The State News. She also co-authored three 100-question guides to increase understanding and awareness of various human identities, through the MSU School of Journalism. Following graduation, she worked as a beat reporter for The Ann Arbor News, covering stories on education, community, prison arts and poetry, before finding her calling in education reporting and landing at SNN. Alexis is also the author of a poetry chapbook, “Learning to Sleep in the Middle of the Bed.”