Link Crew eases transitions into high school

In order to ease transition for incoming freshmen and transfers, several upperclassmen at Wahkiakum High School stepped into newly appointed leadership roles through a program called Link Crew.

The leaders were selected from students who completed applications requiring an essay about why they wanted to mentor.

Seniors Kyler McKinley and Shane Souvenir are two of the students who went through training for the program this summer and are now mentors and leaders to several ninth grade students.

At the beginning of the year, the freshman class and transfer students were welcomed by the Link Crew, made up of 12 student leaders. The class was then split up into groups headed by two of the student leaders in hopes of creating a more personal connection between the classes, to provide a safer environment for questions and a spirit of camaraderie.

According to McKinley, who is doing this for her senior project, it is an opportunity to show the freshmen how to overcome many of the challenges that they will meet in high school. “We talk about procrastination and how to balance school with sports and a social life.”

“It’s good to make them feel more welcome. It’s going to made a difference,” Souvenir was quick to add.

Once a month the ninth graders will meet with their leaders to discuss problems and share successes. And each month the leaders will discuss a different topic, provided by the Link Crew program. At an orientation prior to the first day of school, the students received their schedules and went on Link Crew led campus tours to find their classrooms and meet their teachers. Next month they meet to talk about resources for success, and in November they will talk about co-existing with different perspectives. The Link Crew program will continue throughout the school year.

Joining McKinley and Souvenir as leaders this year are Ethan Cothren, Megan Thompson, Aaron Bush, Kylee Thomason, Tori Wegdahl, Maya Stanley, Kael McKinley, Joey Moore, Whitney Kuller and Jessica Thomas.

Principal Stephanie Leitz praised the Link Crew program but admits there will need to be adjustments as they continue with it in the following years.

“Transfer students found it to be especially helpful,” Leitz said. “They felt more connected the first day and more comfortable in their new setting.

“The overall message is strong and it has allowed some kids in leadership roles to shine.”

Link Crew was made possible through Gear Up, a US Department of Education grant program, and Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services.