Advertisement LaRoche dodged the neon disks his classmates wielded and stuffed the ones he caught in the long, black robe he was wearing.
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Incoming freshman Miranda Johnson, 14, tries to flick marshmallows into a bucket while participating in a game at the first annual Frosh Fest at Logan High School.
PETER THOMSON photo
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“I was supposed to catch as many as I can,” he said. “It was fun.”
The exercise was part of the inaugural Ranger Renaissance Frosh Fest last week that was attended by about 115 students, or half of the Logan High School graduating class of 2012.
The Logan freshmen had an orientation Wednesday morning that included learning their class schedules and the school’s rules before returning for the evening celebration that featured team-building games, music, food and fun.
“This is our big freshmen welcome,” said Sam Hsieh, 17, who is a Logan High School senior and a member of the Ranger Renaissance executive council. “We’re trying to introduce the people here to staff and trying to make them feel welcome.”
The idea came from a national Renaissance conference several Logan students attended.
“I came to meet new freshmen,” LaRoche said. “I’m excited for school to start and meet new people.”
Megan Riley, 17, who also is a Logan senior and member of the executive council, said the organization that promotes academics was looking for a way to help acquaint ninth-graders with high school. “It’s something fun to do to let the freshmen get to know their class,” she said.
Friends Devon Graham, 14, Allie Reget, 14, and Jenna Breecher, 13, appreciated the efforts of the upperclassmen and said they were taken out of their comfort zones and forced to mingle with teens they didn’t know.
“I’m definitely getting to know people,” Graham said.
“Yeah, we were split up into different groups,” Reget added.
Charlie Bakalars, 14, attended the event to meet some new people, while David Pielhop and George Stroschein, both 14, said they came for the free food.
Kameesha Hanson, 15, was thrilled to have the opportunity to get acquainted with Logan students before classes start Sept. 2.
She attended West Salem Middle School and knew just a few people at the larger La Crosse school.
“This is really nice to have,” Hanson said. “I’m really looking forward to school starting.”
Classes begin Sept. 2.
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
