What is WINGS?
WINGS is a program my high school organizes each year to facilitate the incoming freshman in their transition from middle school to high school. The goal is to acclimate them to the school, help them create friendships, and build community. WINGS is a 3-day ordeal that is full of numerous activities that are both fun and helpful.
Application Process
As an upcoming senior, I went through the application process of applying to become a WINGS Mentor. To apply, you needed to fill out a questionnaire about your involvement in school, be recommended by one teacher, and write a paragraph on why you wanted to be a WINGS Mentor and what you could bring to the experience. If your application was accepted, you then had to go through the second stage which was to be interviewed by one of the leaders of the WINGS program. I made sure to sign up for my interview right away, as I was nervous but also very excited. After my interview, I was fairly confident as I had plenty of support from my teachers and counselors. After waiting around a month, I got the email that I had been accepted into the program! I jumped up and down in excitement in my kitchen, I was incredibly grateful that they had selected me to be a WINGS Mentor. Out of over 300 students that applied, only 70 students were accepted.
Experience
The first day was filled with anticipation and excitement, we were finally going to meet the kids that we were going to spend the next three days with! As the other mentors and I were putting the finishing touches on our "Hawksnest", the freshman began to arrive. They were shy and quiet, perhaps uneasy about beginning the next stage of their teenage years. Over the next three days we played name games, got to know each other better and helped create a welcoming community for the incoming freshman. My "Hawksnest" team was really great too because we had an amazing teacher along with the two other mentors that were with me. We all had a blast with our freshman! I also got to share my freshman experience and explain the valuable lessons I've learned through my high school career as a current senior. I stressed the importance of being accepting of others and how impactful an act of kindness can be. I also mentioned that each of them should try to leave a positive mark on their peers and teachers.
What I Gained
Overall, the whole experience, from training to being able to interact with the high school class of 2023 has been an amazing one. I hope that I left an meaningful impact on them just as they have done to me. They will each have a special place in my heart and have encouraged me to become even more involved in my community than I was before. Being a WINGS Mentor was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had and I wish I could do it next year.
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