A new school year is exciting, nerve wrecking and a generally chaotic time for every student. For incoming freshman attending a small private school, where they might not know anyone, it can be intimidating. Which is why freshman at Eastside Catholic in Sammamish are welcomed, with a personal touch, a week before classes begin.

Approximately 170 members of the incoming freshman class at EC learned what it is like to go to the school from their peers and upperclassmen during the annual Freshman Overnight. The program is a popular one for both the freshman and the older students who take charge in planning and staging the all night event, said Karen Skoog, a Spanish teacher and the student leadership advisor.

The event is designed to help make new students comfortable in the new environment and to help them establish relationships with other students in their grade, but also the older students. The freshmen are incorporated in the school’s mentor program, which places groups of approximately 15 students and a faculty advisor together for their four years at EC.

During the overnight event those mentor groups are established for games and many of the activities the students have planned, said Skoog.

Upperclassmen, who range all grades levels, apply to be apart of the Overnight and are students who have not only participated in the Overnight as freshman, but also are looking help welcome the latest group of Crusaders.

In addition to the group of approximately 30 students planning and organizing the event there are three leaders who help spearhead and direct the event. This year Angela Lattanzio, Moriah Dworkin, both seniors, and Garrett Newell, a junior, took the reins, hoping to make the experience as amazing as theirs was.

Skoog said a big focus is helping to teach the younger kids what it means to be a respectful and compassionate EC student and how to reach out and be inclusive of all kids and people, even when they don’t know everyone. She said not only is it impressive to see how it effects the freshman experiencing it for the first time, but it is great to see how it brings together the students planning the Overnight.

“I’m so impressed,” said Skoog. She said the committees have worked together they’ve found the best way to utilize their skills and offer help to the others when they are finished. She said the goal is to really help the freshman understand the idea of servant leadership and a ‘how can I help?’ attitude.

Lattanzio said she wanted to help because her experience with the Overnight was one of the best during her time at EC, and that it is a unique aspect of going to school there. What’s more, Lattanzio is welcoming her brother as a freshman this year and she wanted to be a leader for him.

“I looked up to the leaders as role models when I was a freshman and I want to be like that, to encourage that participation,” said Newell.

The night include a choreographed dance done by the leaders and a skit, two aspects all three said they were very excited about, but overall it’s about welcoming the new students and sharing wisdom the older students have earned.

“I’d tell them to get out of their comfort zone a little and be open minded,” said Dworkin. Newell added that experiencing as much as they can and getting involved opens a lot of opportunities.

Eastside Catholic’s first day of school is Aug. 26 and when the freshman begin their classes they will already have the advantage of knowing who they are starting their next four year with.