Upperclassmen Show Stevenson Freshmen the Ropes

Entering high school is an exciting and unsettling rite of passage for any freshman. For those who attend Stevenson High School, encountering a student body of 4,200 and learning to navigate the school's one million-plus square feet can be especially daunting.

That's where the school's freshmen mentors come in. One hundred juniors and seniors volunteer each year to work with groups of freshmen, who can turn to the upperclassmen with their questions and concerns.

"It's all about the kids. They are wonderful. They are great young people who really care," said Dolores Fischer, a retired health and dance teacher who continues to direct the Freshman Mentor Program, which she co-founded in the mid-1990s.

This year's mentors, known as FMPs, were selected among a pool of more than 300 applicants, who are eager to work hands-on with the younger students.

"My FMPs really helped me become a better student. I felt like I should give back. It's a good feeling to help other people," senior Jamie Gorchoff said.

Joe Lawless, also a senior, said he applied for another FMP position this year after having a positive leadership experience last year. "It's nice to help them find classes and know they are depending on you," he said.

The program kicked off Aug. 18, when all freshmen began a required orientation program at the school. The day included an assembly to drum up school spirit and provide an overview of life at Stevenson, which included the dos and don'ts of school attire and encouragement to get involved in some of Stevenson's 100-plus extra-curricular activities.

Freshmen then broke up into small groups and, led by their FMPs, embarked on tours of the school. Students expressed a range of emotions as they walked the hallways to find their lockers, explored the school's many wings and soaked up crucial advice, such as good spots to eat lunch, how to sign up for activities and warnings to avoid back luck, which school legend says will be caused by stepping on a large floor tile bearing the image of the school's Patriot mascot.

"I'm really excited," freshman and Buffalo Grove resident Sydney Cannon said. "I've heard so much about Stevenson. It's good to finally be here."

She said the school's size is a little intimidating, and she welcomed the assistance of the FMPs. "I think it's really helpful," she said. "I'm glad they're here."

Concerns about getting lost in the maze of hallways were expressed by many freshmen. FMPs tried to ease those concerns by explaining the school's layout, suggesting passages to avoid, and providing tips such as how to locate even- and odd-numbered classrooms.

"I thought I had it down," noted freshman Jacob Waxberg. But 20 minutes into a tour of Stevenson's hallways, he wasn't quite so sure. "This school just keeps getting bigger and bigger," he said.

Freshman David Novak said he found the orientation helpful, and he welcomed the assistance of the FMPs.

"It's a really good idea," he said of the program. "They've been here so long, they know their way around and any questions we have we can ask them."

Questions that day ranged from, "When are they going to start counting us tardy?" to requests for directions.

"I must have been asked 50 times -- more like 100 -- 'Where is my advisory?'" said junior Bobby Graff. But while the initial questions are simple ones, the FMPs are prepared to dole out other kinds of support as the year progresses.

Current FMPs haven't forgotten the support they received as freshmen, when older students took them under their wings and helped them make new friends, get involved in activities and succeed academically.

"I had a really good freshman mentor when I was a freshman, and I wanted to be like them. Kind of like an older sibling. I wanted to model them," Graff said. "It was a really big help when I was transitioning to the school."

It may also reassure freshmen that they are not alone in their quest to master the layout of their massive school.

"I'm still learning," Graff admitted with a grin, as he led freshmen through the halls.

Click here to read a related story about the Freshman Mentor Program.