Burke Catholic peer mentors guide new students as they settle into their new school

As the onset of the 2019-20 year jolted students everywhere back to school, new students at John S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen were eased into their new environment during their annual Peer Mentor Day.

Seniors, juniors and staff welcomed 107 freshmen as well as new incoming sophomores to the Eagles Nest with open wings.

Burke Catholic educates a mix of students from all over Orange County, coming from different districts and backgrounds. To transform anxiety into excitement, Burke assigns incoming students to older peer mentors who serve as a guide not only for the first week, but throughout the year, along with the help of the guidance department.

John Douthit, principal of operations, says Peer Mentor Day welcomes new students to the Burke Catholic family and eases nerves as they settle in.

“Upperclassmen give up their last summer day just to make it a smooth transition for the new students, which is wonderful to see," said Douthit. “They build relationships that carry on throughout the year. It doesn’t just end today.”

'Giving back'

During Peer Mentor Day, junior and senior Eagles guide incoming freshmen and sophomores through their new environment, providing expert knowledge, advice, and comfort as they remember what it was like to wear the maroon polo worn by underclassmen. Junior Chris Zacatelco, reflecting on his transition to an upperclassman, said peer mentoring was a way of “giving back."

He said putting on his peer mentor blue polo "was so different. It’s a symbol of maturing.”

New students gain comfort from the first-hand experiences of peer mentors who were once in their shoes. Incoming freshman Angie Anthey says it’s helpful to have someone you can turn to for help with little things like schedules, and to learn shortcuts upperclassmen learned throughout the years right off the bat.

“It’s nice to start off somewhere new already knowing someone,” Angie said.

In a further effort to get them acclimated, Burke Catholic provides freshmen with a second day before classes officially begin when they are introduced to the various clubs and activities available at their new school.

To learn more about John S. Burke Catholic High School, visit BurkeCatholic.com.