By Hilda Rico Valdez

Granada Hills Charter’s (GHC) Link Crew program is now taking new applicants for next school year. Applications first opened on February 20 and are due by April 7. GHC’s upperclassmen are highly encouraged to join Link Crew to gain leadership experience, volunteer hours, and have a direct impact in GHC’s community. 

Link Crew is a program designed for juniors and seniors to help support incoming freshmen navigate their transition from middle school to high school. Juniors and seniors serve as Link Crew leaders, they’ll provide guidance and familiarity to freshmen as a way to ease their anxiety about high school. 

“Link Crew’s main goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive school environment by helping freshmen transition smoothly into high school,” Link Crew coordinator Leah Winger said. “Our Link Leaders serve as mentors and role models, providing guidance, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.”

Link Crew is a true commitment for upperclassmen, however. There are several events and activities that take place throughout the entire school year. The first main occasion is Summer Transition Academy (STA). This event occurs during summer break before the school year begins. Link Crew leaders will interact with freshmen in small groups to play games, get to know each other, and ask questions. STA gives freshmen students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the school’s environment. 

“During the orientation, our amazing Link Crew leaders provide the freshmen with school tours, school rules, a ten-item list of important facts to know to be successful at GHC, and engaging activities to get to know other incoming freshmen students,” Link Crew coordinator Cassandra Gonzalez said. 

For the duration of the school year, Link Crew sets up all kinds of activities that freshmen can participate in. During October, there is a Halloween maze where freshmen can go to celebrate Halloween. The program also provides academic assistance, known as Cocoa, Cookies, and Cram during the fall semester before the students take their finals. Students can meet with their Link Crew leaders for tutoring as they eat cookies and drink cocoa. At times, they host movie nights for freshmen to attend and relieve themselves from academic stress, including their latest screening of “Tangled.” 

“The Link Crew program helps new students feel more comfortable by giving the freshman the opportunity to experience the campus and being a student at GHC for the first time together alongside their leader,” Link Crew coordinator Yadira Martinez said. “Everything is less scary if we do it with someone else.”

Link Crew looks for leaders who are approachable, kind, empathetic, and responsible. Students who are willing to step out of their comfort zone to ensure that new students feel comfortable and welcomed. Link Crew leaders maintain positive and responsible attitudes that serve as a way to guide freshmen through their transition in high school. They will be the individuals new GHC students can come to when they’re in need of academic help or advice. 

“Every student remembers their first day of high school,” Link Crew coordinator Briana Brazil said. “We want leaders who are empathetic and willing to help create a supportive school environment.”

Link Crew leaders play an essential role in shaping a positive experience for new upcoming freshman students. Link Crew motivates upperclassmen to join the program to take  part in creating an embraceful environment for new GHC students to strengthen their leadership skills. They will be individuals who’ll have a long lasting impact on their school community and freshmen students.