Incoming Carson High School freshmen were introduced to their new school Monday morning and met with upperclassmen who will be showing them the ropes.
The Link Crew, established six years ago at the high school, pairs older students with a group of freshmen to help them adjust to the challenges and opportunities presented at the high school.
Link leaders led the freshmen through various games and exercises to get to know them and assist them in getting to know one another.
Junior Sara Strathman, 15, taught her group a game where they collectively tried to count to 20 without communicating with one another, but not saying any number at the same time.
As the group repeatedly tried to accomplish the task and continued to fail, she explained, "In high school, you're going to be confronted with a lot of challenges. But you're not alone. Everybody is going to go through them."
Other activities taught the value of teamwork and communication.
Freshmen weren't the only ones feeling the first-day jitters. Rachel Robison, in her second year of teaching ninth-grade algebra at Carson High School, takes over this year as Link Crew adviser.
"It's like the Super Bowl," she said. "You have 580 students looking at you. It's just you and your Link Crew leaders."
Robison replaces Misty Harris, who originally started the program. Harris is taking over as leadership adviser in place of Jennifer Tartan, who is studying for her master's degree.
Despite some expected nerves, Robison said she is excited to start.
"I've always loved leadership and loved being with kids who are excited to be here," she said. "I want to make the school better, leave it better than when I started."
And she is a fan of Link Crew.
"Students leading other students is the best way to improve the school because they'll listen to each other," she said. "The Link Crew leaders are from all walks of life so they understand these students and can be there for them all year to support them."
Since the program started, school officials have credited it with helping to raise test scores and lower dropout rates.
Meghan Sparks, 14, will be entering ninth grade when school resumes Monday. She appreciated the orientation.
"It was nice meeting the people I'm going to go to school with," she said. "It's helpful to know the seniors are going to help us around."