Clover Park High Welcomes Freshman Class With a Night of Food and Fun

Some were nervous. Some were dressed up. But they were all excited.

On Wednesday, incoming freshmen came to school for orientation, an evening of food, tours—and the first chance to see their schedules.

“It’s good to have kids back in the building,” said Principal John Seaton. “The energy they have—we just feed on it.”

Assistant Principal David Slagle, who works primarily with the freshmen, called the turnout “awesome.”

“It’s great to see a logjam at the front door,” he said.

Slagle estimated that about 75 percent of the Class of 2015 was in attendance, adding, with a smile, that he is excited to see kids back on campus.

“In the summer, we get a lot of work done, but this building is designed for kids.”

The key to getting so many students to attend on the last week of summer vacation?

“Food,” said guidance counselor Rebecca Byrd, one of the event’s organizers. “We offer food, and it’s in the evening. People have to work, so when you can do things in the evening, it’s great.”

In addition to eating dinner, attendees spoke with representatives from clubs and activities including Air Force JROTC, National Honor Society, the step team and the football, baseball and swim teams.

While the freshmen toured classrooms, their parents and guardians attended a forum where they listened to the parents of students who were freshmen last year.

“It’s usually the administrators and teachers talking, but parents have a different kind of connection and story,” Slagle said. “And parents see things we don’t see.”

Seaton agreed, adding, “We can talk to them, but parent-to-parent is the key.”

The adults also received informational booklets about helping teens adjust to high school.

But Lee Trovato, a family friend escorting freshman Hannah Zippler, wasn’t worried about the transition.

“It’s just the right time,” she said. “I’ve seen lots of (her) stages, and this is a good one.”

Zippler, who attended Woodbrook Middle School, said that she is excited about playing the flute in the school band and making new friends.

But was she nervous about the first day?

“Yeah,” she admitted with a shy smile.

Davon Johnson said that he is excited to meet his teachers and friends—both new and those he knew at .

And, he added, “Dance Club after school, because I just started break-dancing.”

Teanna Harris, a sophomore cheerleader, said that it is fun being back a year after going through orientation herself.

“It’s so much fun,” she said. “Freshman year, I didn’t get the full effect. At first, I was like, ‘It’s just so much,’ but then I wanted to get into it. Now I want to get them involved and energized.”

There are about 300 students in the incoming freshman class, which Seaton said is similar to last year. That meant that the new did not draw too many students away. The Lancers’ orientation was held last week.

“For a lot of folks, this is their neighborhood and their neighborhood school,” he said. “And the environment here is really engaging. We try to look at the kids as a member of both their own and our family.”

Standing near the Main Office, Kori Fuller caught up with Yvette Torres, a friend from Lochburn. Both said they were glad to find each other in the crowd of students.

Fuller said she is most looking forward to “seeing friends and meeting new people.”

“And seeing friends I haven’t seen in a long time,” Torres added.

As for Fuller’s grandmother, Shirley Simmons, she was most excited about sending her granddaughter, who lives with her, off to high school.

“This is the next step,” she said proudly. “It’s this, and then college.”

So will she miss having her granddaughter around once the summer is over?

Simmons let out a hearty laugh to go with a decisive shake of the head.

“I like the peace and quiet of being home alone!”