Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Monday, September 01, 2008
Central: Link Crew helps freshmen learn the ropes
Central High School doesn’t have a pool, and there would never be a reason to buy an elevator pass for the fourth floor.
These are a few facts incoming freshmen should know before they officially start classes this fall, according to the Link Crew, an organization of juniors and seniors who help students transition into high school.
“The heart of Link Crew is building relationships,” said Becky Berns, a Central counselor. “Upperclassmen build relationships with freshmen and freshmen feel like they’ve built relationships with the upperclassmen and the school.”
Seventy-one juniors and seniors spent Thursday morning explaining the ins and outs of the city’s largest school and led the class of 2012 in team-building activities during a “welcome to high school” event.
There were about 270 of the freshmen class at the session, which followed a parent meeting that explained school policies and the lunch program and introduced key personnel.
“High school is so much different than middle school,” said Michelle Myhre, a 17-year-old Central senior and Link Crew member. “I think a lot of times freshmen come in and are scared seniors are out to get them. This shows them that age isn’t a big thing in high school and it’s more everyone together.”
To prepare for the celebration, Link Crew members spent Aug. 18 and 19 training on a camping trip at Camp Decorah, north of Holmen, Wis.
When the freshmen entered the gym, they were greeted by dancing and cheering Link Crew members and the music of Kool and the Gang.
“It’s a new experience, and when freshmen come to a new school it’s intimidating but exciting,” said Susannah Fox, 14. “It’s nice to know other kids are here to help you the first couple weeks.”
The school district as well as high school are new for Brian Paulsrud, 15, who open-enrolled this year from De Soto, Wis., and the Link Crew welcome made him feel like he was back at a smaller school.
“It’s nice to see how everyone comes together at a bigger school and helps each other out,” Paulsrud said. “Everyone seems upbeat and positive.”
And, on the first day of school, if the bandroom isn’t where a frosh remembers or lunch isn’t working out quite the way they had planned, Link Crew members will be there to help.
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