The first day of high school can be both exciting and overwhelming for freshmen, but with the support of a well-organized Mentor Club, that first step onto the Mountain Ridge campus becomes welcoming and memorable. Led by students at Mountain Ridge, Freshmen First Day is designed to guide the freshmen through the campus, introduce them to useful resources, and finally help them build early connections with peers and mentors. There’s no better way to start the year than by introducing people to be part of a growing community, and that’s exactly what Mountain Ridge’s Mentor Club did!
Mrs. Romero, Mentor Clubs’ sponsor, is a major part of this event. She says, “I’ve been helping out with the freshmen camp since before our current students were even born! It’s a great time every year to get to know our incoming freshmen.” Without her, this day wouldn’t be exciting.
The Freshmen First Day is an important day for everyone who’s part of it. The upperclassmen get to know the freshmen, and the freshmen get to know their surroundings. This day leaves a positive impression on the freshmen as well as everyone who’s a part of it. The STUGO members and the MRHS Mentor Club members get to use their leadership skills to help the newcomers find their places. Many parents agree that this day is useful as a trial run for the first real day of school, and gives them the confidence they might be lacking.
As freshmen arrive, volunteers are ready at designated points around the campus. This year, the club did something different; the freshmen were instructed to start in their first hour classes. It was challenging to help them get to the right place, but with the support of the STUGO members, it was possible. Each mentor group usually starts with an icebreaker activity to help students interact with each other.
Later, mentors take their groups on a campus tour, pointing out important buildings, advising shortcuts, and sharing insider tips about daily campus life. They show them around campus and point out important places like the counselors’ offices and the bookstore.
Throughout the tours, mentors are seen sharing their own experiences as a freshman. They advise the new freshman on clubs, academic, and social life. For many freshmen, these stories were a chance to better understand and calm their nerves.
When asked what the biggest challenge was, Mrs. Romero said, “We were unable to meet with Mentors and STUGO in the main gym. That meant we had to use the small gym to get organized, and we didn’t have a microphone.” She adds by saying that all the students were so happy to see their friends after an exciting summer that it was hard to keep their attention and give important instructions. But they got through it thanks to the Officers.
Mentorship doesn’t stop after the first day. The Mentor Club typically organizes a follow-up event to make sure that the freshmen can see good advice or support. For many, these relationships lead to lasting friendships.
These Freshmen First Days bridge the gap between middle school and high school, enabling students to step onto campus not as strangers, but as members of the Ridge Community.
Mrs. Romero thanks the Mentors, STUGO, staff, teachers, upperclassmen, pom, cheer, drumline, and sponsors for making this day so special and magical. Finally, she adds, “When we all are engaged in a common goal, we can achieve great things!”
