High school is a daunting jungle with ivy lining the walls and legacies leaving trails of dust. For incoming freshmen, Tiger Mentors serve as an enchiridion against the challenges ahead. As executives for the 2025-26 school year, seniors Elsie Lipari and Georgia Menees wield lanterns in the dark.
“Being a freshman can be super scary,” Lipari said. “Tiger Mentors are here to help them feel not so nervous, answer their questions [and] give them an upperclassmen friend who has good advice.”
“High school can be challenging,” Menees said. “Having someone who has already been through the same experiences can make a huge difference.”
Though, mentoring means more than supporting underclassmen. Menees said their mission statement sums it up perfectly: “leading with integrity to strengthen our tiger family.”
Each freshman advisory consists of three to four upperclassmen who build relationships and promote freshman growth.
“Tiger Mentors is a way I can chip in and help the freshmen have the best year possible,” Lipari said. “I see it as a way to help these little tiger cubs learn the ways of how to be an intelligent, spirited, hard-working, and friendly tiger.”
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the mentors will be in their assigned advisories, but the guidance doesn’t stop there.
Lipari said, “Part of being a mentor is not only looking after your assigned freshmen, but all of them. If a freshman comes up to you in the hall asking where the weights room is, walk them there.”
Mentors gain leadership background and improve social skills while tigers enjoy their adventure.
“The mentors learn how to work together when problems arise,” Lipari said. “They learn how to help others, hype up a crowd, and be there for the tiger cubs when something is wrong.”
Beyond Freshmen Frenzy and the games where fellow advisories compete, the mentors are available year-round.
“We help with enrollment, offer support during finals, and assist with whatever else the freshmen might need,” Menees said.
Following the recent wave of nonchalance that muffles school spirit, Lipari said the mentors discussed the introduction of “Tiger Etiquette.”
“We think it’s important the freshmen fully understand what being a tiger means,” Lipari said. “For example, teaching the incoming freshmen that dressing up for our spirit days is cool, and saying the class chant at pep rallies is cool—same thing with the cheers at football games.”
Excited for the freshmen, the senior mentors are determined to construct a fabulous start to the tiger cubs’ high school career.
“School spirit and community are some of the best parts of the education system, and keeping that strong is important,” Menees said.