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Story by Sam Doughton, Pine Whispers; Photos by Sophie Hollis, Pine Whispers

Wide-eyed looks of confusion filled the Reynolds halls. The questions of eager freshmen and their parents seemingly bounced off the walls.

“Why is the gym across the street?”

“How do I get to the arts building?”

“Where is geometry class?”

Because it’s better to find answers to questions such as those before school starts rather than Day 1, teachers and administrators welcomed newcomers for a day of activities at the annual Freshman Orientation event. This year’s special day for incoming freshman to learn their way around the school came on the Wednesday before classes began for everyone else.

“(Orientation) helps incoming students have a smooth transition,” interim principal David Small said. “They learn their way around the school and learn all of the procedures in a normal day at Reynolds.”

Freshmen partook of a variety of activities designed to help their transition from middle school to high school. They were taken on tours of the campus by current Reynolds students and faculty, simulated their class schedules for the first semester and learned the school dress code in the varsity cheerleading squad’s presentation, “What Not to Wear.”

“I want freshmen to get a sense of comfort with the school,” history teacher Micika Meadows said of what she wants rising freshmen to get out of the orientation.

Meadows, a Reynolds graduate herself, said she remembers the fears of not knowing anyone and stepping onto a sometimes scary campus her first year: “Even though I was a freshman 20 years ago, those fears still exist.”

The day began at 8:55 – just like a regular school morning – with a presentation in the auditorium, where freshmen watched performances by the Dancing Boots and the RJR a cappella group, heard speeches from Small and Student Services Director Nicole Beale, and saw a video message from Assistant Superintendent of Middle and High School Administration Carol Montague-Davis. This was followed by tours of the campus and activities in homeroom designed to help students get to know each other.

The afternoon served both as a simulation of a freshman schedule and open house, as teachers passed out information on their classes as students came to their room for 10-minute blocks. Parents were invited to join their children for this section of orientation and then gather for a parents meeting in the auditorium while the students enjoyed ice cream in the cafeteria.

Freshman Abby Seibert enjoyed orientation, calling it “A fun preview of the next four years in high school.

“I felt relieved afterward because (high school) is not going to be as scary as I thought,” Seibert said. “It felt like I had a lot more freedom and responsibility, which was good.”

Seibert also added she felt the campus tours and the “get-to-know-you” games were helpful, because they taught students where to go on the first day and how to meet new people.

Meadows and Small both had advice for the class of 2016.

“Get involved in the school!” Meadows said, referring to the many clubs, teams and other activities Reynolds offers.

“I hope the class of 2016 all successfully graduates and has fulfilling experiences throughout their four years at Reynolds,” Small said. “I hope they’re champions in everything they do. I wish them the best.”