Entering a new school as a freshman can be tough. Undoubtedly, this new school year will present challenges for Elwood-John H. Glenn High School’s incoming class. That’s why upperclassmen have graciously volunteered their time to serve as “Freshmen Buddies” to help guide their peers and hopefully inspire the next generation of mentors.

On Aug. 26, these students met virtually with school counselors, Christiana Dobra and Janine Ferrante, to join in a three-hour training course to prepare for their new-found roles. Students participated in icebreaker activities, interactive events, volunteer scenarios and learned the “do’s” and “don’ts” of mentorship.

Unlike in previous years, where Freshmen Buddies pushed in to freshmen seminar classrooms, mentors will connect with their underclassmen peers virtually at least once a month to develop trustworthy bonds and influence positive life choices.