On June 7, rising high school juniors and seniors visited EMS to meet
their “Freshman Buddies.” At the end of each middle schooler’s career,
they’re assigned a volunteer upper-classmen “buddy” from the high school
who serves as their role model, guide, and friend to help the
transition to high school be as smooth as possible. Throughout the year,
buddies check in with their freshmen and address different themes at
meetings, such as time management and getting involved.
High school principal Carisa Burzynski introduced herself to the eighth
graders and assured them that transition to John Glenn would be made
easier with their buddies as a resource.
“Each leader is of the best students John Glenn has to offer,” said Mrs.
Burzynski. “They were selected because of their character and
leadership skills, and they will do their very best to help you navigate
through this this new season!”
Once each eighth-grader found their assigned group and buddies, students
formed circles outside. Groups played ice-breaking games, inquired
about different aspects of high school, exchanged contact information,
and more.
Many of the middle schoolers asked the upperclassmen if they had been
nervous going into high school, but the buddies encouraged them
positively.
“It’s not as hard as you’d think,” said Shannon, an upperclassmen volunteer. “You’ll get used to the change really quickly.”