For many freshmen the first day of high school can be a scary and intimidating experience. A new school, a bigger campus and hundreds of kids and teachers can make even the most confident teen feel like they’re part of a different world.

In recent years the Turlock Unified School District’s high schools have helped to smooth the transition between education levels with “Round-Up” events.  Round-Ups allow incoming high school students to meet peers, tour their new campus, get schedules, join clubs and, most importantly, mingle with current high school students.

On Tuesday morning, Pitman High School’s Passage to Pride event was in full effect with hundreds of incoming freshmen socializing and interacting with junior and senior Pride Ambassadors.

“This is a good way to make incoming freshman feel like they are part of a community,” said Passage to Pride coordinator and social studies teacher Eric Reza.  “The ice breakers and tour of campus is intended for the students not to feel scared on the first day of school.”

During the day’s events students played a game of social bingo and numerous impromptu games to lighten up their moods.  Most incoming freshmen were eager to ask seniors and juniors about life on campus and the learning environment at Pitman.

“The ice breakers were fun and the senior Pride Ambassadors were very nice to all of us,” said incoming freshman Bailey Andrew.  “I’ve met some new friends and am looking forward to meeting new ones once the school year starts.”

Over at Turlock High School, incoming freshman Esmeralda Alcala was impressed with the experience of Round-Up and the school’s organizational level.

“Each station was well-organized so I had no difficulty in getting my class schedule and books,” she said.

At Turlock High students obtained their books, schedules and had the opportunity to join clubs and other student organizations on Tuesday.