Hundreds of incoming freshman students who will make up the Liberty High School Class of 2029, along with their family members, attended the annual Freshman Orientation this past Monday evening, almost completely filling the gym bleachers.
“Freshman Orientation is one of my favorite events of the year. I love the opportunity to welcome our incoming families to Liberty and to showcase the many possibilities we have for students to get involved, “ said Principal Leandrea Slayton.
The class of 2029 is expected to have more than 630 students, according to Mrs. Slayton, coming to Liberty from primarily four junior high schools, including Rosedale Middle School, Rio Bravo Greeley, Fruitvale, and Freedom.
The program started with the Liberty choir singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a speech by Mrs. Slayton, introductions of school administrators, and performances by colorguard, drumline, the dance team and cheerleaders.
The event was originally designed to be outdoors with a carnival atmosphere, but rain and chilly weather pushed the events indoors.
Tables arranged around the perimeter of the gym offered information about sports teams. Outside, in the quad, food trucks sold funnel cakes, potatoes on a stick, tacos, burgers and other items.
In the cafeteria, 20 tables were staffed by student club members, staff members explaining campus programs, and teachers answering questions about their classes.
English teacher David Ziegler will be teaching forensics, also known as speech and debate, again after a decade-long break. He was at one of the tables, talking to students and their families.
“I am looking forward to next year,” Mr. Ziegler said. “Everything the district says it wants students to learn, forensics teaches,” he said, explaining that the skills learned in forensics will apply in all of a student’s other classes.
Mr. Ziegler added that dozens of incoming freshmen stopped by his table, simply labeled “Forensics” to talk about the program. And, he said, most of them knew that forensics was about public speaking and debate, and not about police work and autopsies.
Families received packets with forms to help enroll their students. Students and their parents or guardians will return to campus to register their students for fall classes from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 24, and Tuesday, March 25. Registration is via appointments, arranged online. For more information, check the Liberty Website.