This year, freshman at Brookhaven High School experienced a different kind of freshman orientation—replete with balloon races, small group challenges, and working with and getting to know their student mentors.

Link Crew is a high school transition program that increases freshman success. Members of the junior and senior class were trained over the summer to be Link Leaders who act as positive role models, motivators, mentors and teachers, helping guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful during the transition to high school. As freshmen success increases, the benefits to the school culture and climate become apparent; Link Crew schools report having greater connection, increased extracurricular participation, fewer discipline issues and greater pride and spirit.

During the first few weeks in September, Link Leaders and their Crews went to Camp Mary Orton to experience team-building activities and to create bonds for success. We asked ninth grade student Janae Jones what she took away from the experience at Camp Mary Orton: “It was fun and it teaches you how to work together with your peers and trust others.” Another student, Barshea Green, said of his experience: “We stuck through it even though it was raining! To the freshman who will go in the next few days, it’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be mad fun.” And it’s true. It began to pour down rain for a solid hour, and yet students did not want to quit their mission without finding success, so they endured the rain with the help of nature’s canopy. Their success echoed in the camp as they celebrated.
The next Link Crew activity will be a tailgating party for the Homecoming football game on September 17, 2010.