From left, Free State high school seniors Christina Picicci, Lauren Potts and Kaitlin Heller review their new yearbooks during the back to school fall kickoff and barbecue on Sunday.

Sign up for athletics. Enjoy some barbecue. Get your yearbook. Reconnect with friends and get excited for school.

All of those things were going on at the Free State High School Back to School Kickoff on Sunday night.

The cheerleaders, dance team and band made their school year debut at the event and parents stocked up on Firebird gear for the fall season.

But it was the students who were abuzz for the new school year.

“I’m ready to see my friends and start classes and have something to do,” said junior Kim Carter.

Fellow junior Alan O’Neal felt the same way.

“I wanted more summer, but I’m ready,” he said. “There’s only so much stuff you can do in the summer. I’m kind of done with all of it.”

A new draw this year for the Back to School Kickoff was the opportunity to pick up yearbooks. The school previously had separate events for getting yearbooks and signing up for athletics. This year, the combination drew a sizeable crowd.

“I wanted a yearbook and food,” said O’Neal.

While kids wandered the courtyard, browsed merchandise and ate some free grub, some of the cafeteria tables were full with students wanting to see what the yearbook staff had created for them.

“I think it’s really awesome. They did a really good job,” said Carter.

Junior Sebastian Schonich was also excited to pick up his hardbound collection of memories. “It’s much better than I thought,” he said.

School begins for 10th-graders on Wednesday. Juniors and seniors will join them on Thursday.