Walking into a high school for the first time would jangle the nerves of most people. However, coming to a school where you have no friends and have no clue how to find your classes could be downright panic-inducing.

The Student to Student (S2S) program at Steilacoom High School offers a helping hand and friendly face for new students from military families.

"This year started out hectic," Craig Miller, teacher and program sponsor, said. "We had 100 new students we didn't expect."

The S2S team rose to the challenge and helped acclimate incoming teens without fail, he said.

The program was created by the Military Child Education Coalition to meet transitioning student needs.

Miller has the highest praise for his team of student volunteers.

"A lot of them are doing it because they enjoy what they're doing," Miller said.

Many S2S volunteers have experience with the program as incoming new students who receive help, he said.

Every year, students line up to volunteer. Miller said he has received as many as 65 applications from students who wish to help.

"I get to choose from the best of the best," Miller said. "There are a lot of kids that I have to say no to."

MCEC paid for volunteer training and provides guidance with planning support for incoming students, he said.

"They're encouraging schools to get involved," Miller said.

The program encompasses more than 170 schools across the nation and overseas.

Steilacoom High School's S2S kicked off in March 2006, he said.

"It was a huge success," Miller said. "They worked with 130 students that year."

The program centers on three core components of support, he said.

"Finding the way, academics and - this one is the key - relationships," Miller said. "Being with them and developing a connection is key to integrating into the school."

Program volunteers make sure new students are not left to their own devices and always have someone to turn to when needed, he said.

"They help them find their classes," Miller said. "We make sure that new students aren't off, sitting by themselves at lunch time."

The inclusion helps set the teens up for success, he said.

Miller's team recently partnered with Mann Middle School to help their S2S program get off the ground. Sales from a cookbook compiled by students, faculty and families will help generate funds in support of both programs, he said.

Additional funding from MCEC, Kiwanis Club and JBLM Lewis Main Thrift Store pays for operation, training and special events, Miller said.

Volunteer Aaron Bailey, 16, remembers his first days at Steilacoom High School when his family was first stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"As soon as I came here, they helped me find my way around - helped me adjust a lot," Bailey said.

Not feeling like an outsider helped Bailey fit in, he said.

"They gave me a lot of info and made me one of their own," Bailey said.

His positive experience helped foster a desire to repay the kindness shown him by S2S, he said.

"It made a big difference," Bailey said. "I wanted to be a part of that."