Link Crew
What is Link Crew?
Link Crew is an internationally recognized high school student leadership program that welcomes and mentors freshman students to help them feel more comfortable about the first year of their high school experience. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed, students from the junior and senior classes go through a 10+ hour training to be Link Crew Leaders. As positive role models, Link Crew Leaders will help guide freshman students to discover what it takes to be successful during the transition to high school, help facilitate freshman success at NHHS, and make a positive impact on our school culture.
More and more studies show that if students have a positive experience during their first year in high school, their chance for success increases dramatically. Link Crew provides the structure for freshmen to receive support and guidance from juniors and seniors who have been through the challenges that high school poses, and understand that the transition to a larger school environment can sometimes be overwhelming.
The goal is to provide a structure in which students make real connections with each other thus increasing respect among all members of our Sailor Nation, school safety, and Sailor pride. In August, Link Crew runs freshman orientation, "Anchor Down", where the freshman class will learn that people at NHHS care about them and their success. The Freshman class will also get a campus tour, lunch, and complete the registration process where they will take their ID and yearbook photo, make purchases at the Sailor Store, get locker assignments, and receive tentative schedules.
How does it work for the Freshmen?
Freshmen are put into groups of ten with two Link Crew Leaders. This group will work together and meet throughout the school year. The Link Crew Leaders, who are juniors and seniors, will be a support system for the freshman students in order to make them feel comfortable and welcomed during their transition into high school. All they need to do is show up to the small hangouts and fun events we plan to have a good time! Freshmen can reach out to their leaders with any questions regarding the first day of school, finals week schedules, or anything else they might need!
Link Crew Leaders
What do Link Crew Leaders Do?
Link Crew Leaders co-lead a group of approximately 10 freshmen. Starting from the freshmen orientation, Leaders volunteer to be a resource to the freshmen in their group, guiding them through their first year. Committing to a year long program, these leaders are dedicated to reaching out to their freshman and attending Link Crew events. A leader can apply to be a Link Crew Captain, where they are enrolled in a specialized Link Crew class in their schedule. to organize and facilitate the events and develop leadership skills. All Link Crew Leaders are devoted to the success of freshmen as they transition to the high school environment.
In early spring, students receive an invitation to apply to be a Link Crew Leader based on teacher recommendations, but students can also self-select to apply.
What if I can't take the Link Crew Class? Can I still be a leader?
There is no requirement that a student must be enrolled in the Link Crew Class to be a Link Crew Leader. When you are not enrolled in the Link Crew Class, Link Crew becomes more of a club with monthly meetings for events planned by small group of leaders in the LC class, which are known as Link Crew Captains.
Click here and go to 2:54 to watch our segment from Tar TV!
Click here to follow a Link Crew Leader for "A Day in the Life of a Sailor"
Leader Testimonies
"Working as a Link Crew Captain has been challenging in that I never truly realized how much work and thought it would take to develop a more welcoming campus culture among the freshmen and new students at our school. However, I truly do believe that the various events that we have planned, which have been done with a lot of care, have made a difference in the overall mood of the school. I will most definitely continue as a Link Crew Captain because working for and with a variety of different people has really helped me grow as a person when regarding the skills of communication and human connection. Ultimately, working as a Link Crew Captain is a lot of and at times a lot of work, but knowing that what we do makes a difference is immensely gratifying." - Leslie Alcala
"Ever since I heard about the Link Crew Program, I was excited to be a part of a program that would help welcome freshmen and new students at our school. At first, I did not know a lot about the program and what it would entitle, but after taking the summer training, it made me realize how important and valuable this program would be to our campus. I also love being in the Link Crew class and be a part of the Captain team. Getting to plan new events, learn leadership skills, work with my team, and help the freshmen has been an enjoyable experience. I cannot wait to continue on the Link Crew program in my senior year!" - Miles Marquez
"When I got recommended by my teachers for this leadership program on campus, I was excited but also skeptical at the same time. However, when I started to learn about the activities and got to know my fellow leaders, I just knew it would be a fantastic year. Through the training I learned more about how people think and act around a community they aren’t familiar with. When school finally started, we got to put on events for the freshmen, like a Halloween Candy Hunt and Hot Chocolate Hangouts. I never thought that being a leader in this school would bring me such joy. Being able to interact with students just starting high school is gratifying when you get to be a big part of their beginning experience." - Nicki Sharp
