The Fossil Connect club reaches out to new students, helping them feel at home, whether they are new to the school, the community, or the country.

Lisa Cole, Fossil Ridge High School’s mental health specialist, created the group about 10 years ago to help new students make connections.

“I noticed some kids would eat alone or kids that may have lost their friend group and were just needing to find a new friend,” she said. “I came up with this group called Fossil Connect, and the idea was for all kids to find connection and belonging through meeting new people.”

The club has evolved over the years to include not only brand-new students.

“When a kid moves here to Fossil, whether they’re moving across the city, a different state, a different country, this would be a great place for kids to meet other kids that are in the same experience of being new to a high school,” Cole said. “And as that group expanded, I thought it would be really cool that when these kids are no longer new, they could be a welcoming group for all new students that come into Fossil.” 

Fossil Connect includes another branch, designed for students who have lived abroad.  

Cole said that it’s nice to see students talk about their experiences and different customs.

“A lot of those kids also will talk about some of their challenges and feelings of missing home, or even getting sad when it’s time to return home because they’ve built connections and enjoyed their time here,” she said.

Junior Samuel Jones IV, who moved here from the Netherlands as a child, joined the club at the end of last year.

“I think it’s a great way to meet new people who have experienced the same things you have from knowing what it’s like to move schools, move countries, just that big transition, and it’s a great way to connect with those kind of people, which you wouldn’t do in your average classroom,” Jones said. “I’ve gained more perspective, and it’s impacted the way I’ve viewed international students.” 

Junior Jesus Vega, originally from Mexico, said the club has helped him get to know people he would not normally talk with.

“Speaking about different experiences about where you’re from, your cultural differences, what food you eat, what hobbies you had in different countries; I think it’s cool,” he said, “I’ve gained new friends and new perspectives on other people, and I feel like I learned a lot about other cultures.” 

Anyone can join Fossil Connect, whether they are in need of a friend, want to connect with other international students, or just want to talk.

“If you want to meet new people, and definitely if you transferred or moved from a different country, you should 100% join. Even if you’re going to move to a different country, you should 100% join,” Jones said.

 Vega agreed that the club can benefit anyone.

 “It’s a great club to make connections and just make lifelong friends. You can have connections all around the world to learn about,” he said. “I find it really interesting to learn about other countries and other people, so I think that’s also a big thing if you want to join.”

Cole hopes this club continues to grow. 

“You can come and meet new people, share experiences, and welcome new people as they enter Fossil,” she said. “I hope that these students continue to build connections and create a sense of belonging here at Fossil.”