By Dakota Vernezze, staff writer
Each year the freshmen are introduced to the school by a group of students called the Link Crew. Composed of around 80 juniors and seniors from all different social groups, they are here to help underclassmen through the transition of a small middle school to the huge building that is Indian Trail. Last year’s Link Crew was very successful with their many events.
“We did Cocoa and Cram and that was highly successful, and then we did Lemonade and Learn at the end of last year,” said PACE program teacher Kari Hemba.
Cocoa and Cram was a study session held in January for the freshmen where they could come to the library and have Link Crew help them with their studying for finals while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate from The Pulse’s Blazin’ Beans. After the success of that event, the Link Crew advisors decided to have Lemonade and Learn in May for second semester finals.
Another very successful event of this year was the tailgate held on Aug. 21. After a quick pep assembly held in the auditorium, families were able to enjoy food and socialize.
“The tailgate was amazing,” said Hemba. “Families were supposed to RSVP but we got so many more, we ran out of food. We were buying pizza for Link Crew to feed them.”
After the tailgate, freshmen were invited to go down to the football game, and join the Hawk families in the stands.
“The tailgate was nice and I got to meet a lot of new people. I’m glad I went,” said Communications freshman Emiko Kobayashi.
The Link Crew plans to do more with their freshmen this year including a possible movie night, more advisory meetings, and other social events.
“We went to the student conference at Greenfield High School and we talked with advisors from at least four other schools about how their schools and students ran Link Crew,” said Shawna Ward, library media teacher and Link Crew advisor.
Link Crew attended another conference in Libertyville on Oct 6. On the trip they met with other high schools from around north-eastern Illinois, sharing ideas on how to connect with their freshmen.
“We’re doing an awesome job, so high five to you all,” said Hemba.