Adjusting to high school can be hard enough for kids, but throw into the mix being completely new to the district, and it can be even harder.

Nixa High School is doing what it can to make sure new students don't get lost in the shuffle.

High school lunch can be an intimidating scene for any high school student but especially for new students who don't know anyone yet, like Angel Vu her first week of school.

"I would either go to the library and read a book or something, or I would go to the bathroom," Vu said.

Just a few weeks into the school year, Vu and another new student, Hope Van Buren, adjusted well to their new settings, but it wasn't always this easy.

"The first week I was kind of shy," Van Buren said.

Through a revamped ambassador program, Nixa High School counselors hope seasoned students can help guide the ropes for the new students.

"We're growing quite a bit and we have a lot of new students coming into the district, and we're really afraid of having some of them left back in the shadows who weren't participating," counselor Scott Robinson said.

About 50 ambassadors will help the nearly 100 new high school students get adjusted. The ambassadors give new students tours of the school and will take them to school activities.

"When I see one, I talk to them and try to make them feel welcome," ambassador Lona Pahulu said.

Some ambassadors know how it feels to be new, having been there just last year.

"I didn't have anybody to do that for me last year, so I was kind of on my own and everyone needs someone to help them," ambassador Chauntele Brown said.

So far the school has received good feedback from both parents and students.

Nixa High School counselors already are looking at ways they can make the ambassador program even better next year.