COEUR d’ALENE — For freshmen at Lake City High School, orientation activities Friday ranged from kickball to tours of the school. The goal for the older student mentors and staff members was to ease the stress of the huge transition from middle to high school by ensuring as much fun as possible.

Some indoor groups put their newfound knowledge of school layout to use with a scavenger hunt while others gathered in the auditorium for a panel of student mentors.

In a conversation guided by counselor Katalina Chechon, mentors discussed how clubs and sports helped ground them in school culture, mentioning things that have changed, even during their short time at LCHS.

One mentor noted that she was the first female to join the wrestling team and her example helped other girls do the same.

Civic Engagement Club is a new activity this year for Lake City students interested in advocating for environmental issues.

Outdoors, Madison Meek and Andi Rosenu competed in a game of ladderball before their group had to move on to indoor activities.

Rosenu, 14, said she loves being on the volleyball team, but, for her, school is already well underway with five practices a week to get in shape for the season. She was apprehensive about the new school building, but she quickly overcame those fears when she started meeting new people.

“There’s a lot more people than in middle school. It was intimidating at first, but you have to find your friend group, and then you’re good,” Rosenu said.

Meek, 14, wasn’t worried about her freshman year. She plays soccer and looks forward to joining those who “support each other and invite each other in.”

A game of kickball was led by Hudson Ford, 17, using the baseball field. He hoped that he could help freshmen connect and find their personal path through the next four years. As a mentor, he wanted to pass on tips for adjusting to life as a high schooler.

“The teachers definitely helped, and going to events helped in making new friends,” Ford said.