An SAA Tradition: Freshman Student Orientation Overnight

It was a sweet beginning to high school for the St. Agnes Academy Class of 2029 as they participated in a treasured SAA tradition - Freshman Student Orientation (FSO) overnight! What began in 1998 under the direction of Maria Smith, Freshman Class Counselor, has now been building sisterhood on our campus for 27 years.

“FSO is the first event of the freshman year and gives students a chance to learn more about the Upper School, meet their classmates, and connect with senior mentors that help each student start her freshman year with confidence,” said Mrs. Laura Rice, faculty sponsor for the Freshman Class.

“The senior Peer Mentors spent many hours over their summer break planning a memorable experience for the freshmen. Our student leaders are what makes Saint Agnes so special, and I am so very proud of this group,” Mrs. Rice added.

This year’s FSO theme was Stars in Candyland, based on the popular board game. There were plenty of sweetdecorations and each small group had a candy-themed name.

Senior Peer Mentors Fallon Drzyzga and Haily Frank shared their thoughts on the FSO experience and the impact it makes helping freshmen build friendships and grow in confidence.

Fallon Drzyzga

 “FSO is one of the most important St. Agnes traditions because it's the first time you see your class as a whole and meet the people you will be spending the next four years with. You may not realize it in the moment, but the people in your group may become some of your best friends over time.

This tradition is one of the best examples of the spirit and sisterhood of St. Agnes, and it's so fun to see a group of people that have never met come together to have such a memorable night. The moment I left my own Freshman Orientation, I knew I wanted to be a peer mentor when I was older. The seniors made me feel so welcome and instilled in me the fact that SAA is not just a place where I go to school, but a home. I couldn't believe that girls three years older than me truly wanted to not only mentor me but also be my friend.

When it came time to apply for the peer mentor position, I remembered how inspired I was by my peer mentors and felt called to create the same sense of belonging for the Class of 2029. I am so proud to be a part of continuing this amazing tradition and can't wait to see the freshman class grow as sisters and individuals this school year!”

Hailey Frank

 “As an incoming freshman, I remember feeling terrified to start high school, meet new people, and be somewhere foreign. For all my life, I have attended SAA, but I had never ventured into the “unknown” of the upstairs hallway where I would spend the next four years of my life. When my turn came to attend FSO, I was a meek freshman who was scared to talk to anyone new and had no idea of what lay ahead of me. After discovering that everyone else had the same fears as me and that we would get through them together, I became more confident that I could succeed in high school.

FSO helped me branch out and lay the groundwork for many new long-lasting friendships I still treasure today. I decided after my FSO experience that when I became a senior, I would want to be an FSO peer mentor, so I could help the incoming students' transition into high school be less daunting and more exciting.

FSO is a pivotal moment in the start of high school; it is where each new freshman class meets one another, bonds, and learns about the upcoming four years of sisterhood. It is an opportunity to branch out from middle school friend groups and focus on having fun as a class outside of schoolwork.”

Our 2025-2026 Peer Mentors from the Class of 2026 are:

Sophie Boyatt

Maria Brown

Fallon Drzyzga

Claudia Durante

Teiona Echols

Anna Fox

Hailey Frank

Sarah Juarez

Ava Maples

Callan McCollum

Dalyn Nguyen

Morgan Paige

Mary Grace Pender

Abby Shearin

Regan Thompson

Grace Togbo

Mary Caroline Waggoner

Mary Wilhite

Sallie Word