Stonington High School Welcomes The Class Of 2015 (With Video)

’s auditorium was a bit chaotic Tuesday morning as hundreds of excited, anxious and nervous teenagers gathered in the room. The students will make up the freshmen class and they were at school before the upper classmen for breakfast, to listen to welcoming statements from school officials and to take one last tour of the school before classes officially began.

“It’s very nice so far,” said freshmen Maelann Classen and Aino Jääskeláinen.

The two girls are part of an exchange student program at the high school. Teachers, senior class officers and school officials encouraged students to try new things throughout the morning, a notion the two exchange students, Classen from France and Jääskeláinen from Finland, have certainly already embraced.

“We’re here to help you develop into the person you want to be,” Principal Dr. Stephen Murphy told the assembled students.

The class of 220 students is one of the largest at the school. At 7:30 a.m., Tuesday morning students gathered for breakfast and were then introduced to school officials and their teachers.

“Take advantage, get involved, try something new,” said Robert Brown, the interim vice-principal.

After the speeches, the new students took advantage of tours given by roughly 80 members of the junior and senior class.

“It’s really cool, and it’s good to help out the freshmen,” said senior Uma Mistry, one of the members of the link crew that showed students around.

The freshmen took the time to ask the upperclassman about their favorite teachers, and figure out where and how to open their lockers without the pressure of parents and teachers following them around.

“I’m looking forward to being at the high school, having the new experience,” said freshman Sam Ognisty.