The transition from middle school to high school is a great one for the rising freshmen who have no idea what to expect. This year’s’ sophomores and juniors attending Potomac Falls have found a solution to help ease the new freshmen worries through a program known as Link Crew.

  “[Link Crew] is putting current students with younger students to help mentor and give them someone to look up to at the school that is their age and they can relate to,” said sophomore Sarah Holz, a Link Crew captain.

  The main goal of Link Crew is to help the rising freshman transition into a new environment as comfortably and confidently as possible. Because of orientations over the summer, the rising freshmen will be able to walk into Potomac Falls on the first day of school feeling comfortable and not nervous.

 “I was definitely worried coming into Potomac Falls, but I had a great support system with all my teachers and counselors to help me through it. I think if the rising freshman have yet another group of people to help them and give advice, they will feel really comfortable coming into high school,” said freshman Sam Courtney.

  The Link Crew captains and sponsors, Alexandra Swinimer, and Marion Clark, have all come together to help plan and make this program as beneficial as it can be. Along with the orientations over the summer, there will be meetings and games throughout the entire school year to continue making sure the freshman still feel comfortable while enduring their first year of high school.

 “Freshmen Institute last year was really fun, but I thought it wasn’t really as helpful to students as it could be, so we talked to Ms. Swinimer and decided to change it up to be more beneficial. From the start, I knew this would be a lot more work and a bigger commitment, but I know it’s worth it to help freshmen get into our school community,” said Holz.

 In order to get the word out as much as possible, the Link Crew captains have done their best to spread the word around school. They have also been sending out many applications to rising juniors and seniors who have the necessary credentials such as leadership and responsibility, in order to find the best possible candidates.  

 “We have been preparing applications and trying to spread the word to get more people interested. We have been focusing on getting people excited about the new year and the new program,” said sophomore Lisa Ryan, who is also a Link Crew captain.

  With over 180 applications for only 120 spots most of the rising sophomores and juniors are showing a lot of excitement for this new program.

 “I applied to [Link Crew] because I think it will be a really fun way to become more involved in the school community. When I was a freshman, I wish would have had the endless amounts of upperclassmen to help me through the transition, so I’m excited to be that person to help the new rising freshmen thrive in their first year of high school,” said sophomore Ryan Paganelli

 “We are working closely with Ms. Swinimer and Mrs. Clark to prepare leaders, groups, and our summer orientation and training days, so that the freshmen and leaders will be ready to go by the first day of school,” said Ryan.