The U.S. Department of Education Minnesota ranks the state’s anti-bullying law the lowest of the land – but the lackluster law doesn’t stop Eagan High School officials from seeking to create a positive atmosphere at the school.

Over 500 freshman volunteered to spend Tuesday, Dec. 13 at a retreat learning all about ensuring respect at the school. Counselor Norah Krohse-Hermon said the one-day retreat has become "a legacy" for EHS freshman to attend since coming to the school nearly a decade ago.

"What we’re doing here at Eagan High School is trying to make our building feel smaller and create a respectful place for everyone to be together," she said.

The retreat is organized and hosted by Youth Frontiers, a nationwide company dedicated to creating a positive culture in schools.

"The goal of the retreat is to get kids to choose to commit to the act of respect," said Alison Sipkins, director of communications at Youth Frontiers.

Economics and civics teacher Jim Becker has been involved in the Youth Frontiers programs since they came to the school and he said while the retreats alone aren’t responsible for the culture at the school, they certainly have an impact. Programs that link upperclassmen mentors with freshman as well as multi-grade homerooms also help keep the school safe and inviting for the students, both Krohse-Hermon and Becker said.

"These have totally changed the dynamics of our school with the tremendous support it gets from the students," he said. "They serve as reminders and hold kids accountable."

Three areas of respect are focused on at the retreat: respect of other, of self and standing up for the value of respect.

Retreats culminate with a "campfire" session where kids, encircling a candle to represent a fire in the dark with soft music playing, stand up and take a microphone pledging to show one or more aspects of respect.

This year a student named Chris was the first to take the microphone. He said he pledged to have more respect in all three areas.

"We all need to learn respect and remember to have it for ourselves," he said before apologizing to two classmates for "making things more complicated than they needed to be."

Others stood up saying they would no longer be bystanders when they see bullying happening and even went so far as to apologize for when they have walked by and not addressed it.

The pledges come after a day of excitement and team building. The freshman are put into groups randomly, often times with people they do not know, and work do some "sometimes really silly" activities to break the ice. First they start the day with an energetic welcome from upperclassmen mentors, teachers and school staff at site outside of school.

They also line up in a circle heel to toe and make a "human chair" and sit on each other’s laps to trust and respect each other.

Krohse-Hermon said they also spend time in small groups talking about issues throughout the day and are encouraged not necessarily to make new friends, but recognize and accept each other’s’ differences.

"It’s not about making friends," she said. "It’s about learning and implementing respect."