Lions, tigers andŠfreshmen?

Greenville High School's annual Freshmen Safari orientation was held on Tuesday. The safari helps take some of the edge off transitioning from middle school to high school.

Students receive a class schedule, familiarize themselves with their homeroom classmates and take a tour of the expansive and beautiful - but sometimes intimidating - Greenville High School building.

Meghan Branum, Senior Class President, encouraged the newcomers to enjoy their time at GHS.

&#8220Trust me, it goes by fast,” she said. &#8220These truly are the best years of your life. I thought it would take forever to become a senior.”

Dr. Kathy Murphy, GHS Principal, told the freshmen this was a &#8220critically important” stage of development in their lives.

&#8220Your time here will determine whether or not you leave and become productive members of society,” she said.

Parents and their teenagers filled the first half of GHS's auditorium. The freshmen registered outside the facility and were led to their seats by student volunteers, holding large signs with caricatures of zoo animals on them. Your last name determined which zoo animal (i.e. homeroom) you were in.

&#8220Aren't you excited to be starting school?” Superintendent Mike Looney asked to a few mumbles.

Looney volunteered his cell phone number to the freshmen and their parents. He said he was available to help any student or parent in the Butler County School System, as was his administrators and teachers.

&#8220Here's some rules: Don't call me after 9 p.m., because I have small children and I will be asleep. Don't call me before 6 a.m., because my phone will not be on. And don't call me to tattletale on your teacher or complain about a test, because I won't listen to you,” he said. &#8220We're available to you. We're here to help you be successful.”

Looney told students the difference between being ordinary and being great was one percent.

&#8220If you decide to work one percent harder you will go from ordinary to greatness,” he said.

Board President Terry Williams encouraged those parents attending to become more involved in the school system.

&#8220If you don't care about your children we are wasting our time,” he said.

The first day of school is Thursday, August 10.