This school year, East launched Link Crew, a cross-grade mentoring initiative. Every Tuesday and Thursday during East Collective, upperclassmen and freshmen come together to bond through activities. From games like Twister to serene nature walks, bingo challenges to song guessing quizzes, these two distinct groups are discovering meaningful ways to connect through this program.
“We stay with [freshmen] throughout the year, we talk about all things related to school or their personal lives,” said Link Crew leader, senior Elyssa Taylor. “We are trying to build a bridge between us.”
Recommended by their teachers, the Link Crew leaders began their training during the summer. They mentor the freshmen through their first year and create personal connections. Recommended by their teachers, the Link Crew leaders began their training during the summer.
“I feel like I am making a difference. It’s a figure that I wish I had when I was a freshman,” Taylor said.
Freshman MJ Esther found the Link Crew program to be very beneficial.
“It’s pretty nice and chill, it gives me time to study. And it’s student-led, which is nice,” Esther said.
However, not all freshmen share the same sentiment, and some are hoping for a more diverse range of activities during East Collective, beyond just academic work.
“So far, other than doing some get-to-know-you activities, we haven’t been doing much specifically yet. [I hope to] actually work on specific things,” said freshman Jonah Bayog.
The Link Crew leaders have faced challenges in connecting with the freshmen and making them feel at ease with the mentors.
“It’s definitely hard to get a group of freshmen to open up to you and be willing to get help,” said senior Link Crew leader Blake Alexander. “It forces me to learn the skills to connect with others who really aren’t willing to talk to you at first.”
Leaders meet once a month to discuss and create more activities and projects for the future.
“I hope they open up a little more so we can be friends. It can be more like a peer environment where we can help each other throughout high school,” Alexander said. “I hope at the end of the year that we will have a better relationship.”
