Orientation Greets New Sharks

By: Cassidy Ward

October 7, 2024

The Class of 2028 was greeted by staff, upper class men and the Colgan cheerleading team bright and early at 7AM, August 15th, to begin their freshmen orientation.  Colgan faculty puts together an orientation including a tour around the campus, going to each student's scheduled classes, attending lunch blocks, meeting student appointed teachers and learning about the environment at Colgan. The orientation is there to introduce upcoming freshmen to the dynamic of the largest public high school by student body in Virginia. 

The orientation began in the gymnasium. The class of 2028 gathered around, waiting for their orientation to kick off. To their surprise, there were many tables around the gym promoting the successful sports teams and clubs here at Colgan. 

“I was really surprised by how many clubs there were, but I think one of my favorite parts of high school already is how many fun clubs there are to join, and everyone who worked the tables at the orientation was so kind and supportive of me and my friends joining,”  said Becca Mckeown, 28’. 

Following the gymnasium activities and speech delivered by president Dr. Healey, in the auditorium, the sharks set off on their tour of the 340,000 square foot high school.  The Colgan tour during the orientation helps these freshmen feel better prepared for their upcoming first day of High school. 

“The tour made me feel better on the first day,” said Hermela Williams, 28’. 

It can be tough for some students to make the initial transition to high school from middle school. 

“When I first started high school, I felt like I was like drowning in work, but now that I have been here for two years, it's been a lot easier, and I have learned a lot of different techniques to help myself,” said Bella Chaisarn, 26’ 

 The academic expectations can get higher, and there can be much more demanding deadlines with more demanding coursework. However, there are a lot of freshmen who have started their first semester at Colgan who feel like their teachers have helped them a lot with this struggle.  

“On the first day my teachers talked to me about how it will be harder for a lot of us in high school than middle school since there is more work and stuff, but they also said they are going to give us help so we can start the year off good and so far I would say they have,” said Symon Brittain, 28’.  

“My teachers are all really nice and have been helping me and my friends adjust well to high school so far,” said Joseph Crun, 28’. 

Around one pm, the orientation ended, and the new freshmen were sent home.  

“I would say it was a successful orientation,” said Mckeown. “And when I left, I was really excited to start high school.”