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By Taylor Monje-Rodriguez
Staff Writer
Bishop Amat’s incoming freshmen experienced their high school orientation Thursday, meeting their new teachers, administration and ASB leadership.
Traditionally freshmen start off their first day with a warm welcoming from ASB leaders, Bishop Amat’s band and Lancer cheerleaders. Freshmen usually find this embarrassing as the ASB leaders and cheerleaders greet each student by asking them their names shouting it with great enthusiasm.
“I thought my brothers were lying about the welcoming in the front,” said Lourdes Gonzalez. “When I saw the band and everyone cheering, I felt nervous but excited at the same time.”
After that, the freshman were lead to the quad where they listened to the speeches of the administration and ASB leaders, who welcomed the 380 students that make up the class of 2013.
While the freshman were being welcomed in the quad, several people spoke about Bishop Amat High School and the many experiences and memories the students will share during the next four years.
During his speech, Monsignor Aidan Carroll, Bishop Amat’s president, told students how Bishop Amat comes together as a family.
“Whether we are teachers, parents, alumni, or students we all come together as a family—we all come together as one,” he said.
Principal Dr. Merritt Hemmenway told the new Bishop Amat Lancers that their four years at the school will shape them and make a huge impact on their lives.
“Four years of high school are the four most important years of your life,” he said.
After the initial presentation made by the administration and ASB leaders, the students were dismissed to their homerooms and their feelings of their first day started to change.
Some of the students said that when they first arrived they were extremely nervous and a bit embarrassed, but after the speeches they started to feel comfortable.
“My brothers told me not to be nervous,” Gonzalez said. “They said I would feel welcomed and it would be easy to make friends. So far, they were right.”
Others told of how they started to get excited after they heard of all the things that Bishop Amat had in store for them the next coming years.
“I was nervous, but I’m starting to feel more anxious and excited,” Angel Tonorio said.
And then there were some whose feelings seemed to stay the same throughout the day and did not even feel nervous or anxious.
“I wasn’t nervous. I don’t feel there is any need to be,” David Denson said.
– Staff writer Annette Guerrero also contributed to this article
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