Carson High School senior and Link Crew leader Samantha Lowe, right, lead in-coming freshmen through a mental exercise on Tuesday.
A week before starting their first year at Carson High School, incoming freshmen were introduced to the campus, classmates and administration Tuesday during the annual orientation introduced by the Link Crew, a program designed to ease the transition into high school.
Oscar Delgado, 14, learned an important lesson from his Link leaders.
“Do your work, and don’t be lazy,” he said.
Students were split into groups of about 13 and were led through a variety of games and activities and taken on tours of the school.
“I’m really glad I came to orientation,” said Chauntel Bennett, 14. “I was able to meet the people I did today. I’m really excited about meeting new people.”
About 550 of the 563 incoming freshmen registered for the day-long orientation.
“We had a great turnout this year,” said math teacher Shanell Cavener, who is serving as Link Crew adviser this year with American sign language teacher MaryAnne Weaver. “It’s their first experience in high school, and it makes them feel special.”
Caitlyn Lee knows how the freshmen are feeling.
“I was a freshman last year,” she said.
“I came from a private school, and it was a big transition.”
This year, she joined Link Crew.
“I thought it would be good to help then have a good transition, make it smooth and clean,” she said.
Weaver has taught at the high school for 15 years, and is excited to lead the Link Crew.
“I love Carson High School,” she said.
“I want to get them as excited as I am about high school.”