Student ambassadors welcomed eighth graders from Southern Highlands on Aug. 28 for Preview Day, offering them a glimpse of what their next four years could look like.

This is a memorable experience for the eighth graders as they have a new setting filled with new teachers, students, and rules. Their transformation throughout the day does not go unnoticed by anyone. AJ Mazzara ‘27 explained that she loved being able to see, “how nervous they were in the beginning and how comfortable they were talking with me by the end of the day.” There will be many more preview days to come during the first semester, giving the ambassadors more opportunities to reach out to potential Gorman students.

Preview days are not the only event student ambassadors participate in throughout the school year. In order to experience what daily life looks like at Gorman, the class of 2029 explored campus at freshman orientation on Aug. 11.

Coming in as a freshman is scary for most and full of new and challenging experiences. The freshmen orientation program is designed to ensure students feel safe and comfortable when stepping onto campus. Cooper Macalalad ‘26 shared that many ambassadors agreed that the program creates a “great experience and environment for the freshmen.”

Led by Mr. Moore and Mr. Gleich, the freshmen started off their day with fun games and ice breakers. Grace Medford ‘29 thought that this was a great opportunity to “get to talk with everyone, not just the ones in my small group.”

After splitting off into small groups, the students were able to get a feel for the classrooms while participating in more ice breakers led by their upperclassmen student ambassadors. These small groups were a fun experience for both freshmen and ambassadors. “In my small groups I was able to make new connections with freshmen as well as other ambassadors that I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to,” said Hailey Stiegler ’26.

The ambassadors go through a challenging process that consists of spending two days over summer going over procedures and how to lead small groups. This included going over games, making introductions, and establishing expectations. Danica Serra ‘26 said, “This is done to ensure that they are ready for the incoming freshmen and eighth grade students.”

Olivia Cobell ‘26 explained that, “It takes a lot of teamwork and leadership to be a group leader so you have to have chemistry with your team in order to create a fun environment with your freshmen.”