Two days before the new school year began, freshmen gathered in the auditorium to be introduced to their new campus. Led by pairs of student leaders, the newcomers to DHS learned their freshman chant, went on a tour of the school and picked up their schedules. 

The freshman orientation was planned by Decatur High School’s Student Council, with varsity cheer, the Eagle Dolls and the drumline all in attendance to welcome the Class of 2027. 

For student council president and senior Peyton Wade, preparations for this year’s orientation started weeks prior. 

“Preparations for fish camp were really fun,” Wade said. “We had a couple of meetings to finalize plans on what we wanted the agenda to be, and created fish signs that sorted the freshmen into their groups.”

Students were first welcomed into the school by administrators and counselors as they received their schedules, then student leaders passed out stickers to correspond to each tour group.

“We randomized the groups so the incoming freshmen would meet people they don’t usually talk to,” senior Hannah Smith said.

The tour leaders hit the high points, showing the freshmen the room number system for classes, front offices, library and gym, as well as the outdoor facilities, including the track, ag barn and weight room. 

The tours, along with orientation as a whole, act as a way to help calm any nerves incoming freshmen feel as they enter the year.

“[I’m] just a little nervous, but I have two brothers who go here so they say it’s just the same as the middle school, but it’s just such a big school,” freshman Lheztynie Rodriguez said. 

After the tour, students returned to the auditorium to practice their grade’s chant together and sing the school fight song.

With the school year in its beginning stages, upperclassmen understand the freshmen’s fears and apprehension about the new school. Senior Kadin Henderson, who led a group alongside senior Luis Ramos, wants to remind new students to participate in all that DHS has to offer. 

“I would say get involved in some sort of activity and find a community because it makes high school so much better,” Henderson said.

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