On Thursday, May 22, Harriton hosted its annual Move-Up Day. Move-Up Day gives soon-to-be Harriton freshmen the opportunity to visit the school and learn about being a Harriton student.

The Freshman Mentor Program, led by Señora Thomas, has aided Harriton’s freshmen in making a smooth transition to high school for six years. Upon the eighth graders’ arrival, they were greeted by their freshman mentors–upperclassmen who lead freshman advisories during the advisory period each “A” day.

Rising freshmen met their freshman mentors in the school cafeteria. Each group played “icebreaker” games, accompanied by plenty of candy. The mentors led the visiting eighth graders on a tour through the building so that members of the class of 2018 could be introduced to future teachers and their advisors, while they learned how to navigate the halls of Harriton.

Our visitors also had the opportunity to sign up for clubs and sports teams in the gym. Each club had a table, where inquisitive rising freshmen could learn about the extracurricular activity and sign up for informational emails. Eighth graders Cody Trimble and Abby Goldberg said that their favorite part of the day was the Activities Fair. Cody signed up for Newspaper, BuildOn, and Corinthian, while Abby signed up for field hockey and BuildOn.

Around noon, rising freshmen said goodbye to their mentors and boarded the bus back to their middle school with an “H”-shaped pretzel.

Move-Up Day is an integral piece of the Freshman Mentor Program, as it is the first time rising ninth graders meet their freshman mentors. The program is highly effective in easing the intimidation factor that surrounds the transition from middle to high school.

Sophomore mentor Coby Levit said, “Some of the kids even told me that they were nervous. It was obvious who knew each other and who did not. But after lots of candy and talking, the students began to open up and we all became more comfortable. By the end of the day we were all more than well acquainted, making jokes, and forming bonds.”

The bond between mentor and freshman is the key to the program. “I look forward to a year with these kids, so meeting them right off the bat is a treat for me,” articulated Peri Leavitt, a junior. Peri continued, “As much as I love the mentor aspect of the Freshmen Mentor Program, one of my favorite parts is making new friends! That might sound cheesy, but I swear I’m being genuine. That instant mentor-freshman connection is a lot of fun for me.”

It is clear that the mentor-freshman relationship is meaningful for both the freshmen and upperclassmen involved in the program. The freshmen will visit again in late August for Freshman Orientation. At orientation they will receive their schedules, meet their teachers, and reacquaint with their mentors. Thank you to Señora Thomas, the freshman mentors, and everyone who made this year’s Move-Up Day a success! Class of 2018, we look forward to your arrival this coming fall!