![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
For freshmen, coming into high school can be scary—a new school with huge halls and dozens of rooms across two levels. In order to ensure freshmen have a good and successful high school experience, the WINGS program was created two years after the opening of the school in 2014 by Assistant Principal Jennifer Cavanaugh. It was founded in order to help freshmen understand high school, what they can expect, and how to navigate their experience.
Through this program, rising juniors and seniors have the opportunity to apply to be mentors. Junior Charisse Rose Caparros joined the program as a brand-new mentor this year. “I became a mentor because I’ve always had a passion to help and support people,” Caparros said. “It is also a great way to give advice to freshmen.”
Mentors are assigned to a freshman advisory where they create lesson plans to help form a strong understanding of high school. From social media usage to advice sessions with mentors, freshmen are able to learn and adapt to the high school environment as quickly as possible.
Cavanaugh enjoys seeing the mentors who were once freshmen share their experiences throughout high school with the new freshmen. It provides them with the opportunity to take advice from their peers rather than adults they may feel they cannot connect with.
Freshman Mya Bilinski has enjoyed having the opportunity to speak with WINGS mentors during advisory. “I like being able to know some of the upperclassmen,” Bilinski said. “I really like the mentors that I’ve met, they are kind and relatable.” Having a strong connection with mentors allows freshmen to ask questions and get advice in return. It also helps create a strong relationship with fellow classmates and upperclassmen.
This year, with the addition of activity blocks, the program is easier to run. “The mentors now have time to meet with each other and the coaches to write our lesson plans,” Cavanaugh said. “This is the first year we’ve been able to do that.”
Activity block gives the WINGS program 30 minutes every other Friday to meet in a group and come up with lessons and activities they want to target towards the freshman class. Mentors and advisors come together to brainstorm and put their plans in motion. By the end of the year, the freshmen have gained the confidence and connections to ensure their high school experience is the best that it can be.
With plans to create strong team bonds between freshmen and mentors, the WINGS program continues to support the newest students by welcoming them into high school with open arms.
