From public speakers to fun team building activities, this year’s ROAR was a success.

“We had more staff attend the event, which is awesome because it shows the students that the teachers are here for them and support them,” ROAR sponsor Jen Culbertson said.

Over 150 students participated in the event on April 18.

At the event, there were big and small group activities for all of the students.

“We alternated between silly team building activities to serious, emotional activities for students to see they are not alone in the struggles and triumphs,” Culbertson said.

The event left many students with a sense of belonging at the school.

“ROAR is great for freshmen because they barely started the year and it helps you understand that you are not alone,” freshman Alejandro Carrillo-Ortega said.

ROAR gave participants the opportunity to meet new people.

“I like the diversity we always have because there are people of all kinds of backgrounds and you get to meet people that you would have never met in the hallways,” senior ROAR mentor Jake Ullman said.

Every year, ROAR has a public speaker. This year, social worker Jeff Anderson spoke at the event.

Anderson gave a presentation, “The Power of One…and One More,” which regarded self-love and boosting your self-esteem.

“We got to learn a lot about each other, not only in our small groups but in the whole group,” junior Jaron Allen said.

Students who participated in the event would suggest others take the opportunity to take part in ROAR.

“They should accept the invitation because it’s really fun and it’s a good experience,” sophomore Emily Munoz said.