Principal Jeff Hyche welcomes and offers advice to a group of students who participated in Freshman Camp on Aug. 16. | Clif Knight

The transition from Hartselle Junior High to Hartselle High School was made easier for more than 200 incoming freshman who volunteered to participate in Freshman Camp on Thur., Aug. 16.

The event simulated a normal school day with assembly sessions, class changes and lunch in the cafeteria.

Using their schedules as a guide, students changed classes every 10 minutes, allowing five minutes in between to reach their next class. Teachers welcomed the students upon their arrival and gave them a brief introduction to that particular course. During class breaks the school’s student Ambassadors were posted in the hallways to direct the freshmen to their classes, if needed.

Separate assembly sessions were conducted by Principal Jeff Hyche , Lee Anne Pettey, transition administrator for secondary schools and Karen Howell, counseling teacher.

Hyche challenged the group he addressed to “work hard and play hard.”

“I encourage you to be class leaders,” he added. “If I were you, I’d run for a class office or get involved in a number of student organizations.”

“Even though this is our first time to offer freshman camp and it’s not mandatory, participation has been great and everything has gone smoothly,” said Hyche. Hopefully it has been helpful to the students.”

“I think it’s a good idea,” said freshman Reagan Bowling. “It has helped me get prepared for a news.”

Sebastian Stewart stated, “It was well worth my time. “I now know where my classes are and I was able to get there on time. It also gave me a change to meet my teachers.”

“I think it as been a very good day,” Pettey said. “I’ve heard several students say they’re not as nervous as they were before. They’ve been able to find their classrooms and meet their teachers. We also worked some fun things in the process. The ambassadors have been a great help. They made fun for the students.”

Words of advice and encouragement from several of HHS’s recent graduates were printed and shared with the freshmen, as follows:

“Don’t let uncertainty interfere with doing what you want to do. Work hard, join clubs, try out for teams, be yourself, and enjoy high school.”—Alex Pettey, Cass of 2012

“Stay motivated, give it your all through high school, and study hard for the ACT!” –Laura Summerford, Class of 2007

“Get involved as much as you can. Do your best and study to get your GPA up. It helps a lot with scholarships. –Katie Young, Class of 2010

“Study, but still make time for the fun things that only happen when you’re in high school, like pep rallies, battle of the classes and homecoming week.” –Audrey Smith, Class of 2011