A controversial debate continues among students when it comes to which of the three elementary schools in Powell is considered the best. Many Powell High School students who attended their elementary school years here have opinions about which school is the best.

Every year, students share disputable opinions regarding their favored elementary schools, and some of those opinions focus on friendships.

“I just feel you can make friends a lot easier [at Parkside],” freshman Tempie Day said. “And you can blend in better.”

The top school consideration among the three schools also varies based on the school’s atmosphere.

“I believe all Powell elementary schools are incredible,” sophomore Cayleigh Douzenis said. “But I went to Southside Elementary, which I believe is one of the best because of their positivity and sense of community.”

The interviewees had different experiences at their favorite school, but overall felt that the community had good schools, and there wasn’t one they disliked.

“I think all schools in our community are good,” freshman Brooke Horning said. “I didn’t go to Westside, but having practice there, like, when you walk in, you just feel very safe and welcome.”

While many have felt that they don’t dislike any schools, they just have personal reasons that one school sticks out to them. The majority of the students had many reasons for why they had a favorite.

“Probably going through kindergarten through fifth grade,” Day said. “And making a bunch of different kinds of friends and just getting to know my personality.”

The majority of people don’t seem to hate any school; they just have reasons that some schools appeal and many ties to fond memories of elementary school life.

“The experiences that made it the best were the celebrations that were had after hard work that made learning exciting,” Douzenis said. “I remember getting to throw water at the teachers after completing summer reading, and it definitely motivated me to keep reading.”

The teachers and the students have a connection with the experiences that made elementary school feel like the best.

“There’s one teacher, Mrs. [Kelsi] Koritnik], that always inspires you to grow and is very supportive,” Horning said. “And the teachers from Westside always support you no matter what school you go to.”

The elementary schools overall don’t seem to really be favored over each other; they all are good schools for many varying reasons.

“Every elementary school in Powell is absolutely incredible,” Douzenis said. “The positivity that the staff radiates towards everyone doesn’t go unnoticed.”