“Welcome to the best school in the world, Palo Alto High School.”
These words from Paly principal Brent Kline reverberated through the Quad today as incoming freshmen and new students began their orientation.
During orientation, students took their yearbook photos and toured the campus before wrapping up with a pizza social.
According to Associated Student Body activities director Alyssa Bond, there was an emphasis on community and peer-to-peer connection in this year’s orientation.
“The focus this year has just been … creating connection between students and their peers,” Bond said. “There are things that they can get in a more authentic manner from peers than from a presentation from admin. We just introduce ourselves … and then we send them off with students.”
Student volunteers with Link Crew ran tours as a part of orientation, showing new students around campus and answering questions.
Senior Lydia Wang said she volunteered to help guide orientation tours as a Link Crew member to help freshmen feel more comfortable beginning the school year.
“It’s nice to help other freshmen feel included and to get them familiar with the campus,” Wang said.
According to freshman Sejal Kulkarnipatel, there was a positive social environment at orientation.
“Everyone looks nice,” Kulkarnipatel said. “Everyone’s laughing and stuff so I’m feeding off of it [the energy].”
Freshman Suraj Yella Singanamala said he is excited to start at Paly.
“The sun is shining, the clouds are gone and I’m ready to start this year off with a blast,” Yella Singanamala said.
