For some new students, starting high school may feel like getting lost in a big city: stepping into a sea of unfamiliarity, surrounded by new faces, and not knowing where to go next.

However, the annual New Student Invasion, held Saturday, Aug. 8, allowed new students to learn about the campus, meet some of their classmates and teachers, and know what to expect on the first day.

“I’m excited but also nervous because I am one of three kids that were accepted here from my school, so I don’t know that many people,” theatre freshman Daniella Weinstein said. “But I’m excited to make friends. I already know a handful of kids that go here, and they all said that it’s really amazing, so I’m really excited to explore this school and get to know people.”

At the beginning of the event, new students entered the gym to sign in and get a name tag. While in the gym, they had the opportunity to purchase merchandise, including hoodies and the Marquee yearbook, from various booths. Soon after, the new students were separated based on art areas and taken to meet their art area teachers.

“As a department, we wanted to make sure that we were all present to introduce ourselves to the students,” communications dean Angela Anyzeski said. “We hope that they will be comfortable coming in on the first day, and that our faces are familiar to them.”

Afterward, student volunteers directed the new students on a tour of the school. They were later led to Meyer Hall for a welcome presentation that featured a performance from the cheer team and the school’s jaguar mascot, a slideshow about school procedures, and speeches from Principal Blake Bennett and the Student Government Association (SGA) presidents, Gavin Murray and Beau McDowell.

“It (the event) helped me,” theatre freshman Chaelynn Allen said. “It made me more comfortable with the buildings and familiar with some people on campus.”

New students were not the only ones able to learn about the school before the first day. Parents and guardians attended an informational presentation in Meyer Hall and had the opportunity to talk to staff about the upcoming school year.

“I think it’s a good program for new and incoming students to familiarize themselves with the campus and the overall vibe of the school,” Nathan Jezek, parent of communications freshman Penelope Jezek, said. “I worked with the assistant principals to go over the schedules, which was really reassuring. It kind of calms the nerves for someone going from middle school into high school.”

Many incoming students previously attended Bak Middle School of the Arts. For one freshman who did not attend Bak, visual freshman Sofia Maldonado, the prospect of the new year made her feel “a little scared” due to a lack of other people from her school.

“I went to Jupiter Middle (School),” Maldonado said. “I probably am not as advanced as a Bak student. I’m excited, though. I want to know what I can do with my major. I want to explore more and learn more about it.”

While the new school year may be daunting to some students, it sparks hopes and aspirations for others, including Mrs. Anyzeski, who looks forward to what lies ahead.

“Hopefully they (the students) get to make a friend if they don’t know anyone here today,” Mrs. Anyzeski said. “(I hope they) meet somebody, interact with each other, and ask any questions they may have. It’s all about making sure they are comfortable.”