New freshmen get first taste of high school at orientation

WESTFALL — The newest Delaware Valley High School students were welcomed with an orientation on Tuesday. Students filed out of the rain and into the high school’s auditorium shortly before 9:30 that morning, but not before exchanging dozens of hugs with friends lost in the tumult of summer, amid yells of “What’s your schedule?” “Where’s your locker?” and even “Is it pizza time yet?” Though primarily made up of freshmen from the Delaware Valley or Dingman Delaware Middle schools, there were also a few upperclassmen in attendance, including one of this year’s foreign exchange students, Malte Schmetler, from Bremen, Germany. Once the din of the auditorium was quieted, which was no small feat considering the crowd of over 400 13-year-olds, 9-10 Principal Michael Lacika greeted the students with his annual speech. “I can feel the excitement in the air…This is going to be a great year,” the administrator heralded. The freshman class advisor and Spanish teacher Ms. Raycharlyn Correa also spoke of her enthusiasm about spending the next four years with the ninth graders, creating class themes for Spirit Week and decorating for Prom. Current Delaware Valley High School upperclassmen were then standing by to hand out locker location cards and replacement schedules… for those who lost theirs since last week’s distribution. The students subsequently were set loose around school, chasing friends and attempting to shake off parents with a still feeble stab at high-school independence. Stationed around the school were faculty and upperclassmen alike, ready to lend a veteran hand to help any lost or confused students. Two hours later, all orientation participants met in the 11-12 cafeteria for pizza and refreshments; a short-lived look into what lies two years ahead of them. Some students however, like Daniel Cella, are already looking into their future. What is he looking forward to most about his freshman year? “Getting good grades and really preparing for college.” Most of his classmates, at least for now, are only looking as far as next Monday, and what outfit they’ll be wearing on that much anticipated first day of high school.