diff --git a/project/ui/game_screen.gd b/project/ui/game_screen.gd
index 813f6c1..06d4929 100644
--- a/project/ui/game_screen.gd
+++ b/project/ui/game_screen.gd
@@ -178,7 +178,12 @@ func show_text(story) -> void:
 func show_year_advancement(new_year:Year.Name) -> void:
 	%YearIndicator.show_advancement(new_year)
 	
-	await %ScenarioContainer.clear()
+	# If there are children, clear them out.
+	# There may not be children on the first call, for the
+	# announcement of "Freshman Year."
+	if %ScenarioContainer.get_child_count() > 0:
+		await %ScenarioContainer.clear()
+	
 	var label := preload("res://ui/year_change_label.tscn").instantiate()
 	label.year = new_year
 	await %ScenarioContainer.show_control(label)
diff --git a/project/ui/main_scene.gd b/project/ui/main_scene.gd
index ec8a7ab..5222a06 100644
--- a/project/ui/main_scene.gd
+++ b/project/ui/main_scene.gd
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ func _ready():
 	for file_path in file_paths:
 		world.available_stories.append(_STARTING_STORY_PATH + file_path)
 	
+	# Start by telling the player this is the start of freshman year
+	await _game_screen.show_year_advancement(Year.Name.FRESHMAN)
+	
 	while _stories_complete < world.turns_per_year * 4:
 		if world.available_stories.is_empty():
 			# This would happen if there are no available stories to run.