Anticipation and excitement filled the air of the Canutillo High School rotunda on Tuesday as incoming freshmen eagerly filed in to take part in the Eagle Legacy Camp, a two-day orientation designed to get students acquainted with the campus, learn about opportunities, engage with school leaders and build comradery with other fellow freshmen.
“It is always exciting to welcome a new group of students to our campus,” Principal Teresa Clapsaddle said. “The Eagle Legacy Camp is a great opportunity for us to meet our new students and for them to learn about the opportunities available to them over the next four years while familiarizing themselves with the campus, rules and expectations of being a Canutillo High School Eagle.”
For many of the members of the incoming Class of 2026, the excitement of embarking on a new adventure is also met with some fear of the unknown. Such was the case for Mia Rodriguez who is joining CHS from Jose J. Alderete Middle School.
“I am excited, nervous and scared all in one,” Rodriguez said. “I feel like this orientation will be very helpful for me to learn as much as I can about life in high school and just learn my way around the school so I won’t be lost during the first week. This is such a big school.”
The Eagle Legacy Camp is aimed to not only help incoming freshmen easily transition to high school life and acclimate to a new school environment, but also introduces them to extracurricular activities they can participate in to fully ingrain themselves in campus culture and enrich their high school experience.
“I think it is great to join clubs and organizations because students get to experience more than just academics while in high school and take the skills they gain with it to help them in college or their careers,” orientation leader Samuel Martinez said. “They will have the chance these next couple of days to learn more about what CHS has to offer and find what interests them.”
First day of school for the 2022-23 school year is Monday, Aug. 1.