Link Crew coordinators begin to prep commissioners and leaders for this year’s group of freshman through virtual meetings.

As the new school year comes into view, Link Crew is working to welcome the freshmen as the next chapter of their life begins: high school. Despite the global pandemic, Link crew still plans to welcome underclassmen to school Aug. 21 for orientation through a zoom call. 

Link Crew begins the planning process after winter break–sending out applications. Once they are staffed, the planning process for the upcoming year begins.

“The tricky part is continuing our work with the current crew while still planning logistics for the next round,” coordinator Patrick Mooney said. “We usually meet in January to set training and orientation dates, dole out roles, and start the process.” 

New commissioners help the coordinators plan meetings and activities for the current school year, as well as work things with new leaders. Training differed this year so leaders could adjust to a virtual program.

“We just got trained on how to “properly zoom” which was really interesting to see all the small things you can do like moving closer to the screen or emphasizing your hand motions or just facial expressions,” commissioner and senior Reese Berry said. 

Leaders from last year who are now commissioners are planning approaches to a virtual welcome.

“All we can ask for is that even though we may not be able to do the same activities, we will still be able to impact the freshmen,” commissioner and senior Clare Weaver said. “I hope we are still able to reach the freshmen and that they have a greater set of tools taught to them by upperclassmen to prepare themselves.”

Link crew seeks to ease the transition from middle to high school but faces new challenges amidst a digital back to school.  

“No one can participate in activities, no one can stay after school for extra help, no one can meet with their teachers in person–it’s going to be hard,” freshman Anthony Davis said. “I’m excited because [of] the conversations we are going to have with Link Crew; it will help me see the good in this.”

Despite these difficulties, coordinators and commissioners are communicating constantly as back to school approaches to create a smooth transition for freshmen.

“We are making sure that the freshmen can still learn the same tricks for succeeding in high school through a virtual orientation day,” commissioner and senior Clementine Arneson said. “Many of the activities are similar to those of past years but we are working to adapt them to a zoom call format by training link leaders on how to do so.”

Incoming freshmen have mixed feelings as their first year of high school quickly approaches.

“I feel unsure about it since we are doing half of it at home and half of it at school. I was excited about cooking class, so I could learn how to cook and be able to cook for my family,” Davis said. 

With the upcoming school year around the corner, Link Crew is continuing to work on helping students make a smooth transition to high school.

“We need to be bigger humans, spiritually and emotionally, now more than ever to make connections in this environment; we’re going to have to constantly say yes and figure out what else we have to do, without being too inquisitive; and we’re going to have to support each other to get through this,” Mooney said.