For the third year, over 800 eighth graders from five local middle schools toured Dr. Michael M. Krop’s hallways.

Lightning for a Day is a program created by the administration in which hundreds of eighth graders from Lawton Chiles Middle School, Aventura City of Excellence School, Andover Middle School, Aventura Waterways K-8 Center and Highland Oaks Middle School are introduced to Krop. For one day, these potential freshmen attend Krop and visit seven key locations on campus.

Hundreds of eighth-graders that entered the school were escorted by students into the auditorium, where they listened to Krop’s orchestra and a presentation by the administration about Krop’s excellence.

The eighth graders were then split into groups of about 15 students and led by Student Government Association leaders, magnet students and other Krop students across campus. Each group visited the athletic fields, cafeteria, media center, social studies wing, science teacher David Buncher’s classroom and the student fitness room.

“Everyone here is together; it’s like a big family,” eighth-grader Odel Ohana from Aventura Waterways K-8 Center said. “It’s fun that there are so many programs here. I want to possibly join dance.”

In addition to touring the school and learning about educational opportunities, the eighth graders attended a club fair in the media center. Clubs and organizations at Krop, such as Best Buddies, Lightning Strike Newspaper and National Business Honor Society, spoke to the incoming freshmen.

The last event of the day was a traditional Krop pep-rally. Students filled the gymnasium bleachers as the pep band played music and the cheerleaders performed. Despite being out-of-costume, the silver dazzlers joined in at the end.

“I like the gym a lot, it was nicely set up,” Lucas Uriarte from Highland Oaks Middle School said.  “I would like to be part of the basketball team.”

It took weeks of preparation from the administration and a massive effort from the students, but Lightning for a Day was successful. SGA CEO Lara Soysal hopes that next year’s freshman class is filled with familiar faces.

“As a graduating senior, it was exciting and nostalgic to see the faces of Krop’s future and welcome them to our lightning family,” Soysal said.