OPRF High School welcomed the 2024-25 freshman class with a celebration during its annual Huskie Kickoff Day.
The event took place on Wednesday, August 14, one day before the start of the regular semester, and was designed to help the new freshmen become more familiar with each other and the school.
“We made it a comprehensive experience because we know how important it is for them to just be in the building, to tour the space and see it without being overwhelmed by the other 3,000 students who will be arriving there,” says Lindy Novotny, head of the Department of Fine Arts and instructor for the Leadership and Launch program.
The Leadership and Launch Program is a mentoring program that provides freshmen with ongoing social, emotional, and academic support through contact with older students. The program was created as part of the high school’s 2014 strategic plan.
When OPRF was trying to develop the model for the Huskie Kickoff, Novotny said it was a no-brainer to bring in the Leadership and Launch students to help facilitate because the older students would already be meeting the newbies on the first day of school, so why not bring them in a day early and make the experience more personal?
This year, 168 launch leaders helped run the event, whose motto, fitting with the highly anticipated construction of OPRF Project 2, was “Follow the Blueprint.”
The leaders wore bright orange construction vests as they helped the newcomers find their way around their new school.
Freshmen were welcomed with an assembly to open the day. They then met with advisors, participated in study groups, and had lunch. There was an activity fair in each cafeteria with student clubs and organizations ready to answer any questions students had before joining them.
“We are so excited to welcome the new group of students to OPRF,” said Sadie Collins, a senior at OPRF. “We hope they are just as excited to be involved with Trapeze.”
The Trapeze is the student newspaper.
The freshmen also got their class schedule, figured out how to open their lockers, and went through his schedule to find their way around campus.
Amor Brown, a freshman student, said that participating in Huskie Kickoff Day gave her the opportunity to learn about all the opportunities she will have at OPRF and also had the chance to ask questions.
Caleb Bowman, a senior, said he remembered participating in the day as a freshman and wanted to help create a positive atmosphere for the new freshmen.
“The seniors know a little more about high school life than the freshmen who are just starting out, so they may find it easier to ask questions,” Caleb said.
Novotny said the majority of freshmen attended that day and that very few schedules were not distributed.
“We found that the initial feeling of being welcomed into the building and of belonging is simply critical to their experience here,” she said.
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