It’s a sure sign that the new school year is about to begin. Walt Whitman High School welcomed the Class of 2027 to Freshman Orientation on August 23rd.
The morning was for both students and parents or guardians. It was full of information on what to expect, where to go and how to get there, plus who can help and what they can help you with. But, very importantly, it was full of motivation and inspiration.
In a packed Performing Arts Center (PAC) auditorium, surrounded by student leaders from all grades, the incoming freshman and their parents got to hear from education speaker, author and podcast host Ed Gerety as he revved up the audience to “Stand Up for Your Greatness” as they begin this important part of their lives that will shape their future. Most would refer to Gerety as a motivational speaker, but he prefers “inspirational” speaker. “Nobody can motivate you,” Gerety explained. “That motivation has to come from within. So my goal here today is to inspire them to really think that they have within them the potential to do extraordinary things. The world is wide open for them. If they're just willing to take that positive risk and ask for help along the way.”
Gerety’s presentation has been a popular part of Whitman’s Freshman Orientation for several years as he tries to cut through the students’ fears about this new start, and focus, instead, on the opportunities. In his discussion on the importance of appreciating one’s own abilities and the people in our lives, he picked out one student to stand before the audience and call his Mom to tell her he loved her. It got a big “awwww” from those watching when Mom said on speaker “I love you, too.”
Freshmen then separated into groups and took tours of the high school building with student leaders who showed them where everything is and how best to navigate the halls so they make it to class on time. This year, Whitman is back to a 9-period day so there will be one more class to find! Meanwhile, their parents stayed in the PAC auditorium for a Q&A session with Interim Principal Dr. John Murphy and other administrators.
“Walt Whitman High School is a special place where students can take advantage of a variety of academic and extracurricular activities,” said Dr. Murphy, “allowing students to learn more about themselves and the overall school culture and opportunities that Whitman offers. Getting to know about these programs allows them to become an integral part of the school community. We look forward to what the students will be able to accomplish in the years to come.”
Many of the new students said they were both excited AND scared about starting high school. “Because it’s a new place and I don’t know what’s happening,” explained one student. “The school’s big. I’m gonna get lost,” said another. But they’re looking forward to joining one of the more than 75 clubs at Whitman, and making new friends.
The freshman class will get to put everything they learned at orientation to the test when school starts on Tuesday, September 5th!
Welcome Freshmen!
All Freshmen received Class of 2027 swag bags
Walt Whitman High School administrators answer parents’ questions
Freshmen broke into smaller groups to tour the high school
The hallways were crowded as freshmen learned where their classes are
“Inspirational” speaker Ed Gerety talked with freshmen about getting the most out of high school
It was a packed PAC!