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"I know I was scared."

Minnetonka High School senior Rachel Strommen admits to a variety of fears when she first entered the school four years ago.

"I remember being a freshman and being, like, oh gosh, I don't know all these people," says Strommen.

Add that to concerns about peer pressure, finding your way around a big building, and freshman fears can be substantial.

Minnetonka High School builds every year on a program that began when principal David Adney first asked about 15 seniors to help him welcome the incoming freshman class.

"So we decided a few years ago that we would try to break down some of those walls and who better to lead than our seniors, because in some schools those are the people you are most afraid to work it," says Adney.

This year, 70 seniors were accepted into Minnetonka's First Mate program out of more than 250 who applied.

First Mates lead freshmen during an orientation day that involved team building games, tours of the school, and opportunities to connect with new people.