Moving to a new school is one of life’s most challenging transitions. Suddenly, you’re stuck being the “new kid” navigating unfamiliar hallways, sitting alone at lunch, and facing classrooms filled with strangers. It’s an experience that can feel isolating and overwhelming. However, Prosper High School makes it easy with new student activities that assist students with this transition.
Led by counselor Kristen Figueroa, the head of new student activities, she invites Prosper students to be a part of the student ambassador program in assisting new students in their transition.
“I pulled from a variety of students at our school, making sure that they were outgoing and friendly,” Figueroa said. “Then we would have an interest meeting to make sure they wanted to participate in leading activities like the student tour.”
Of the many ambassadors, Senior Sarah Goddard shares her experience as a volunteer in leading various new student activities.
“During the morning we would welcome them in until about 9 a.m. They would then listen to a presentation and do course selections, ” Goddard said. “Later we would give them a tour of the main parts of the school while talking about our experiences, and memories.”
Goddard explained that these activities extended into the school year, with events such as the “new student table” during lunch, where she related with new students and assisted them in settling in.
“Transitioning into a new school is especially scary, when you have a massive school and have nobody to sit with at lunch, ” Goddard said. “I remember struggling to find kids to sit with at lunch, but by having a new student table it gives you a place to go to at the cafeteria.”
Mrs. Figueroa said that despite students rarely coming to these tables, she believed it was okay since it accommodated those who really needed it.
“While we didn’t have a lot of people to come to the new student table, it felt like that it was okay, ” Figueroa said, “It served as a safe spot just for a couple kids, and I hope that it made their lunch experience a little better in that way.”
As a participant of new student activities, Sophomore Isadora Asencio said that she felt way more welcomed compared to previous schools, and believes that Mrs. Figueroa should continue the student ambassador program.
“I think that Prosper is way more welcoming than previous schools, ” Isadora said. “The new student activities definitely helped me a lot in becoming settled in this new environment.”
Asencio said that transitioning from a smaller school and moving here had been intimidating, however, she found the new student activities, such as the orientation to be especially monumental in her transition.
“I was really nervous to get lost on the first day,” Isadora said. “But orientation really helped me get to know some of my teachers and classes.”
With the positive feedback from the new student activities, Mrs. Figueroa said she plans to make changes to the program from what she has learned from this year.
“Its an evolving program, we are going to take both ideas from our ambassadors about what they think the program could be.” Figueroa said, “I do think the student ambassador program could be more than about just helping these students in the beginning of the year, but also be available to help throughout the year.”
Figueroa reflects on her initial goal with the student ambassador program, and believes that it has flourished in the way she had always wanted it to.
“I wanted it to be its own thing about welcoming new students to Prosper High School, ” Figueroa said. “I believe it’s always overwhelming to transition from one school to another especially when you don’t have any friends which can feeling isolating. I hope that this program can help these students even a little in their transition.”
