Over 300 nervous freshmen gathered outside the gym at Churchville-Chili High School on August 31. At 8 a.m., the doors opened and they were welcomed in with music, dancing, energy, smiles and enthusiasm by the C-C Link Crew. The school’s Link Crew leaders – more than 40 student volunteers from the junior and senior classes – began their year-long commitment to guide the new ninth-graders to success in high school.
This is the first year for Link Crew at C-C SHS. The student-directed program pairs two Link Crew leaders, acting as positive role models and mentors, with about a dozen incoming freshmen. The Link Crew groups remain together throughout the year, lending support and challenging members to go beyond their comfort zones, meet new people and try new things.
“Our Link Crew student leaders decided to get involved last April, and trained for three full days this summer,” said C-C school counselor Tracie Swalbach. “Even before our orientation event today, they were on the phones, contacting their group members and getting to know them. These kids are extremely committed to seeing their freshmen have fun and rewarding experiences here in high school.”
Link Crew, an international program used in more than 3,000 schools, is based on the many studies that show that if students have a positive experience their first year in high school, their chances for success increase dramatically. The program promotes making real connections, thus increasing school safety and boosting self-esteem and character development.
It includes orientation plus continuing academic, social and leader-initiated follow-up activities. The Link Crew leaders at C-C consist of a mixed group, having interests and involvements ranging from art and theatre to sports, math, science and more.
“This is a win-win for all of our students,” said Swalbach. “Leaders push themselves and their group members to get more involved, to participate in different activities. With the group, freshmen come into the year with ready-made support. They have peer resources. They know who to ask and where to go for help.”
Churchville-Chili Link Crew leaders for 2016-2017 include: Amanda Addis, Braden Alessi, Molly Alessi, Umaru Andrews, Jamie Anzalone, Anthony Arline, Meagan Bader, Emma Bennett, Helena Buttons, Coral Catalina, Emma Clark, Isabella Colon, Nicholas Colucci, Rachel Czolgosz, Rebecca Czolgosz, Marissa DeFranco, Maria Esposito, Delaney Finewood, Jocelyn Hernandez, Kianna Jackson, Savannah Kellenberger, Rachel Kuhn, Thomas Lampanaro, John Larson, Mia Latone, Nurah Maali, Danielle Mitchell, Madalyn Motsay, Zach Olsen, Shane O’Neill, Daniel Phan, Jessica Piper, Abigail Post, Mariah Rauf, Molly Reyngoudt, Jon Sanfratello, Abby Sauer, Jim Seeman, Cameron Shuman, Kylie Taladay, Natalie Tegler, Rachael Thomas, Lucille Tomin, Alex Voglewede, Jayson Wallace and Zach Woodruff.
The program at Churchville-Chili High School is managed by Assistant Principal Jason Cline, school counselors Tracie Swalbach and Kate Krysty, and teachers Heather Burns and Wendyann Larsen.
For more information on Link Crew, visit www.boomerangproject.com/link/what-link-crew.
Provided information
