For many students, the hardest part about stepping into a new school isn’t finding the right classroom but rather finding where they belong. Spartans in Training (SIT), a student-led initiative led by juniors Andrea Hernandez-Torrez and Camilla Camacho aims to solve that challenge, helping new students become acclimated to school culture, academics, and friendships.
“It’s really hard when you’re new in a school as large and competitive as Seven Lakes,” Hernandez-Torrez said. “Just having someone there to help you or a group of people dedicated to helping you is really important, and that is what I really wanted to focus on when I started this club.”
Formed at the beginning of the school year, SIT specializes in helping students who speak languages other than English (LOTE) who might have a hard time communicating with English. Camacho said having foreign-exchange friends inspired her and Hernandez-Torrez to offer the mentorship program.
We thought it would be a good idea for [the new students] to meet new people because there’s just a lot of people that don’t speak English well,” Camacho said.
The club involves meetings which mostly take place during enrichments, helping these new students through mentorships, course selection guidance, bonding activities, volunteering and supporting them in any other way they may need.
“This upcoming month, we’re actually having two meetings because it’s a little more packed with course selection,” president Andrea Hernandez-Torres said. “The kids need a lot more direction and advice in that aspect,”
SIT supports students from all kinds of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. While Hernandez-Torrez and Camacho are both fluent in Spanish, they have other officers well-versed in languages such as Japanese, helping a wide range of new students acclimate to the school.
“We really want to focus on emphasizing those who are from out of state or from international schools who are trying to get accustomed and readjusted to school,” club sponsor Terrah Dees said.
For Dees, watching students step into a mentorship role has been one of the most rewarding parts of the program.
“Watching them in that element, they truly do take on this mentor role,” Dees said. “From a teacher perspective, that really enlightened me, and I loved the empowerment that this role gives them as for the new members.”
Beyond the mentorship, the club offers something far more lasting: friendship. For newcomers, these relationships can make the transition much smoother.
“I would describe this club as Friendship,” Camacho said. “ You make new friends and meet new people.”
Although SIT is still in its first year, Hernandez-Torrez said she wants the program to reach more students who need support at school. In such a huge school, this club serves as a vital reminder that belonging is always the first step towards success.
“The main message that I want to put out is that everyone should be welcome to Seven Lakes,” Hernandez-Torrez said.
