Seniors help the new kids

Fresh from summer vacation, incoming freshmen at Laguna Beach High School were treated to an orientation Monday that both informed them and tried to alleviate any fears about moving up to high school.

Most of the kids knew each other through Thurston Middle School. They showed off their new leggings and backpacks, and hugged each other happily. But they were on a new campus.

In the “Breakthrough Crew” orientation program, now in its fourth year, freshmen and upperclassmen student leaders connected on a peer-to-peer level.

At 9 a.m., the new freshmen met in the gym and were welcomed by the student leaders, who all wore matching black Hurley T-shirts that were given to the school for Hurley’s Walk the Walk student fashion show, held earlier this year.

The freshmen were given nametags and divided into breakout teams.

Team 5, led by seniors Bree Duplisea and Dinika Bagga, opted to meet on a sunny patio overlooking the ocean. They sat in a circle and took part in an icebreaker session, a name game and a deeper “getting to know you” game.

“People met different people whom they might not normally talk to,” Duplisea said. “You get to make new friends — that’s the best part.”

Duplisea is a member of the water polo team and associated student body vice president. She said the school sent out letters to “inspirational” students or leaders on campus, asking them to participate in the orientation.

“It’s fun to meet the freshmen and help them out because you remember how nervous you were,” Duplisea said.

Team 5 then moved into a classroom, where they played a game using balloons to learn about juggling responsibilities.

“You’re going to start with one balloon; let’s call it family,” Duplisea taught, bouncing one balloon. “Then you’re going to add school,” — Bagga tossed her another balloon — “friends and activities.” Unable to manage all four balloons, she let them hit the ground.

“No one can do it all by themselves,” she said. “But we have each other. We’re going to keep them all up together.” She and Bagga tossed all four balloons into the group of kids, who kept all four afloat.

A game called “64 Squares” taught the teens about teamwork and adversity.

Bagga laid out 64 sheets of paper in the classroom, in an 8x8 formation. Duplisea explained that they represented a bridge through school; the freshmen were currently standing at the first day, and together had to navigate a path through the squares — some of which were good, some bad — to the end of high school.

“This overwhelming thing is gonna turn into a great time,” Duplisea said.

At the beginning of the game, each student chose their own path with no help from the group. Later on, Rachel Mcdonald discovered four good squares in a row. By the time her turn finished, students were giving her suggestions on where to go; other students were helping her mark the correct path.

The team broke a new record when they finished in six minutes, 56 seconds; another team had finished it in nine minutes.

“This group is awesome,” Duplisea said to them. “We are connected already.”

After the game, the kids discussed their new shared experiences as they crossed campus for a tour.

During a section called “What Every Freshman Should Know,” the leaders covered topics such as how to get an associated student body identification card and books, or where the cafeteria is located.

Duplisea also handled last-minute questions from her group; several formed a half-circle around her and Bagga, who sat on a folding table, while she talked about dances, activities and cafeteria food.

“They never did anything like this when I was in school,” Activities Director Pam MacKay said. “It’s really great for them.”