Pupils buddy up for fun day at Augusta Prep orientation

Augusta Preparatory Day School pupils started the new year Tuesday, but some newcomers to the school got a jump start Monday during new-pupil orientation.

Middle-schoolers new to the school teamed up with their buddies to compete in a scavenger hunt.

"You are competing for prizes, fame and glory," said John Stephens, head of the middle school. "You are going to have to use your wits, as well as your observation skills and speed. This is to expose you to different areas of campus. It's not something you can sit in a room and fill out. And along the way you can ask questions and drive people crazy."

Marco Mueller, a sixth-grader transferring from Bel Air Elementary School, teamed up with his buddy Harry Gilbert. Their first conquest was acquiring the signature of middle-school teacher Melody McRee, who's been at Prep the longest - 10 years.

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"This is part of my plot to make you crazy," Stephens said to McRee, who had about 15 children surrounding her, all frantically wanting her signature. "Don't you just feel like a celebrity?"

Next, the duo sped to the library, where they found the portraits of three former Prep headmasters.

Samantha Osburn, a sixth-grader transferring from Greenbrier Elementary School, teamed up with veteran Prep pupil Tara Morgan to count the number of lockers in the girls locker room - 46.

Along the way during the scavenger hunt, Tara gave Samantha some words of advice, warning her of one teacher who liked to drop a metal ring on the floor to catch the class's attention.

Samantha admitted she was nervous about starting a new school and grateful she had a ready-made friend. The two had talked on the phone during summer and had gone swimming together.

"She's been really nice," Samantha said of her new buddy. "She even got me a present, a purse just like hers."