A high school student body is made up of eclectic personalities ranging from anxious freshmen, to seniors in anticipation of the end of their high school years. Many assumptions can be made about how freshmen will react heading into the first week of school, but freshmen themselves also have some preconceived notions about how they believe their experiences will go.
While freshmen have had little-to-no experience in a high school environment, plenty of opinions and ideas already swarm the halls from these incoming students.
Many students were questioned about whether or not they look forward to the year ahead. Most freshmen gave parallel responses. Just as Lauren Brandes and Daphne Peterson put their excitement towards, “Seeing people and meeting new friends,” Layla ElManhawy states,
“I’m also excited because it’s a bigger school.”
A group of students have poured over 8 hours of practice and preparation before freshmen orientation into Link Crew. These students had been nominated by teachers, applied for the leadership role, then finally formed Link Crew.
The idea of Link Crew is to welcome incoming students to Wilsonville High School, inviting them into a safe circle of friendly upperclassmen who are willing and eager to help orient new students. Senior, Ellorian Hulstine, emphasizes her excitement of participating in Link Crew by saying,
“I met a lot of juniors and seniors, which was really great because I’ve bonded with so many awesome people. It’s really great to just be with a cool group because everyone is so sweet.” To Hulstine’s point, Link Crew aims to expand beyond freshmen orientation, opening a sense of safety for students in the upcoming year.
Link Crew creates support systems for individuals that can be reliable networks throughout the entire school year for new students.
As fresh students enter the high school on orientation day, they are guided to the gym and seated in the bleachers before meeting Wilsonville’s principal, Mrs. Schmidt. Cheerleaders also raise the spirit alongside Link Crew and administrators, who frame a path for the freshmen as they enter.
Three hours breeze by while students are partnered with groups to familiarize with various people and Link Crew steers multiple games/ice breakers.
Small groups were formed to prioritize genuine connections between incoming freshmen. Link Crew leader, Ellis Underhill, said, “You can be brutally honest about whether or not you’re excited for high school,” as she uses her group’s independent time to support students and encourage them in personal ways.
The conversation veered between her group mates as they each shared their thoughts for the upcoming week. When asked whether or not they were excited for high school, anonymous answers came pouring out such as,
“I’m looking forward to high school more than middle school.”
“I could take it or leave it.” Incoming freshmen, Donna, offers her thoughts about the importance of high school, venting, “I think high school leads you to your future.”
“You’re right,” Underhill replies. Still, with much anticipation and jubilance, there are also fears to account for.
“I’m just scared there’s gonna be drama because the two middle schools are joining,” Karli Vonnoy admits in reflection. Stella Blakenship expands on this thought in voicing,
“I’m looking forward to not being in middle school. We’re still with our middle schools, but I’m excited for better opportunities.”
Many people can relate to these worries, or maybe they see themselves through Daphne Peterson’s perspective as she articulates, “I’m just most nervous about homework and turning in schoolwork.”
Although the tours and introductions are important, it’s the interactions and relationships formed that will foster the freshmen and allow them to blossom in high school. Link Crew has prioritized these qualities throughout the orientation, and maybe the most important thing taken from the experience is the genuine advice offered by upperclassmen leaders.
Peterson acknowledges, “The best advice I’ve heard is just to be kind and to not start drama. I want to be friends with everyone.”
“I’ve heard it’s important to participate,” Chloe Smith adds.
Hulstine elaborates on her advice for incoming freshmen, phrasing, “My advice to the freshmen has been just to stay on task. There are going to be a lot of people, and sometimes your home life is not very good, so there will be distractions from what’s important in school. As long as you yourself stay on task though, the right people who will support and help you will come to help you learn and grow.”
Gearing up for the school year can seem daunting, but through months of preparation, it’s although the incoming freshmen have waited and studied for these years all of their lives. For some students, the orientation may have been like a firehose of information, nerves, and excitement, but the true journey is just beginning.