Link Crew Provides a Warm Welcome for New Students
Greta Cunningham
September 6, 2024
Each year, the juniors and seniors of CDH's Link Crew are responsible for welcoming a new class of incoming ninth graders. Link Crew helps prepare them for high school and introduces them to the CDH community with a student-led orientation day before the ninth graders' first day of class.
"It creates a smooth transition for incoming students and allows them to recognize some familiar faces when they start school," said Hadley Beyerlein '25, a Link Crew leader. "I want them to feel welcomed and know that CDH is not only a great community but a second home."
Orientation day allows new students to get to know each other, older students, and the building itself, all with the goal of making their first real day of class less intimidating.
"I came from a small school from a suburb of St. Paul," said Link Crew leader Bauer Houge '25. "Because of Link Crew and orientation, I had seniors I could look up to and wasn't alone on my first day. I had more people than just the three or four kids that came from my middle school. I joined Link Crew to help kids from small schools like me."
Orientation day begins with a welcoming ceremony before students split into small groups of eight to ten paired with two Link Crew leaders.
"I think the way we play music as everyone comes in at the beginning of the day is a big moment for the ninth graders," said Houge. "It gets the jitters out right away and helps everyone get excited. Then, during our prayer service, we play 'Home' by Philip Philips, and the kids learn that we have a song we all sing together and get to learn it and join in."
Math teacher Carolyn Osdoba and campus minister Mark McGuire serve as Link Crew's teacher advisers. McGuire has had the position for over ten years.
"It gets ninth graders comfortable in a new environment and lets them have some fun when they might otherwise be nervous," McGuire said. "But the more years I've done this, the more I've realized what it does for our 11th and 12th graders as well. They get to learn about leadership and strengthen their relationships with their school and community as they reflect on their time there."
Link Crew can be a rite of passage for the 11th and 12th graders who participate. It marks their transition to the upper classes and their new responsibilities in the student body as they become role models for younger students.
"Link Crew is a great service-learning and character-building program," said Bridget Kimlinger '25, another Link Crew leader. "I get to serve my school community and realize the impact of my own behavior, specifically on ninth graders, who I really have the opportunity to help as they walk in the door to their new school."
Link Crew leaders prepare for ninth-grade orientation over the summer during meetings with their teacher advisers.
"We try to impress upon them that they really are the face of CDH for these ninth graders," said McGuire. "For many new students, orientation is their first experience with the school, and someone in Link Crew is likely the first person they're actually going to meet."
Link Crew leaders are also taught the games they'll play with the ninth graders during orientation. It's what McGuire calls "play with purpose."
The first activities allow students to warm up and get comfortable with each other as they progress into more serious conversations about what to expect in high school. It's a unique opportunity to hear directly from older students still navigating that experience.
"We also explain that they might be the only ones bringing the energy at first," McGuire said. "Link Crew has to set the tone because the ninth graders are going to be nervous. We talk about how to make it a comfortable space for them."
Link Crew is dedicated to keeping enthusiasm and morale high throughout the day.
"When I participated in Link Crew last year, I was amazed by the energy the seniors brought. It inspired me to join again this year with the goal of bringing the same level of excitement to the program," said Beyerlein. "One of my favorite moments is when we form a gauntlet, and, as the incoming ninth graders walk through, we cheer them on with as much energy as we can. It's an unforgettable experience that sets a positive tone for their high school journey."
Link Crew leaders hope to remain present through the remainder of that journey.
"As a Link Crew leader, I hope to support these new students beyond orientation day," said Cailin Ryan '25. "I want to be known as someone they can always count on. Whether they see me in the hallways, at a football game, or at lunch. I want them to know they can always pull me aside and talk to me, text me, or ask any questions they have. I look forward to being there for them all year round."
Link Crew leaders wear Link Crew t-shirts on students' first day of school so ninth graders can easily identify them in the hallway to ask for help. Later in the fall, they participate in the ninth-grade retreat, once again speaking about their high school experiences to offer perspective and advice. Link Crew organizes a "Cocoa and Cram" session at the end of the first trimester to reduce stress and support students as they study for their first finals. Ninth graders can contact the Link Crew leaders from their orientation day group throughout the year with any questions.
"I hope every incoming student has the best experience possible and that CDH can be a safe place for them," said Kimlinger. "It has everything you need and more. This is the place for you. This is a place you belong."