Incoming freshmen arrived at their first Mustang Taking Care of Business Day on Monday, Aug. 22 and enjoyed their introduction to SDA, led by Link Crew.
Link Crew group leaders were sophomore and older students who either signed up to become a leader or were selected by a teacher on campus. .
“I wanted to be a link crew leader to provide freshman with an experience that would help them feel more prepared and less anxious for the upcoming journey they’d know as high school,” said senior Maximo Prescott.
All leaders were required to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher in order to be chosen.
Link crew groups were scattered throughout the campus, with some embarking on campus tours. Many freshmen found the tour helpful and much needed before their first day on campus.
“The tour was good because I wasn’t sure where any of the rooms were. I’m really excited for high school and to be done with middle school. SDA is awesome, and I’m happy to go here,” said freshman Valen Lambert.
Orientation began with ice breakers played in the gym. Freshmen participated in a “Raise your hand if….” game, followed shortly by a balloon popping relay and Simon Says.
Get to know you game sessions were in full swing once the new students were broken down into smaller, individualized groups, each assigned a Link Crew leader.
Freshman Cheyne Linkogle said that the orientation “showed me the ropes of SDA. I thought it was useful for getting to know where everything is. I’m more excited now for SDA and not as nervous as I was.”
Freshman Madison Richards looked forward to high school because, “I think it’ll be more freedom.”
“It was very fun to introduce the freshmen around SDA,” said Sophomore Shelby Olivas.
Link Crew leaders gave the incoming class a warm welcome with their enthusiastic attitudes.
Senior Melissa Morales said, “It’s actually kind of interesting meeting and talking to the new freshmen. They warmed up because of the ice breaker games we played. Everybody [upperclassmen] is really helpful and we shared something about ourselves with everyone in the small groups.”
While leading one of the largest link crew groups around campus, senior Jordan Golden happily said, “It’s the best day of my life! We are showing them the new art facility on campus, and I’m leading them on a tour.”
Upperclassmen encouraged the younger students to attend the school dances, Comedy sportz games, homecoming football game and air bands. They explained what homeroom was, and explained how there wasn’t homeroom on Wednesdays, while squelching rumors such as the one about upperclassmen dunking slurpees on the freshmen at lunch from their cars.
Ready to get involved on campus as a Mustang, Freshman Hanna Kobayashi said, “I’m confident, but a tad bit nervous about heading into my freshman year. I’m going to try out for water polo.”
Another freshman eager to get involved on campus was Alex Vardan who said, “I’m going to start a club just because I can – like a paintball club, or something. That’d be cool.”
Assistant Principal Jeanne Jones praised the group leaders. She said, “It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and Mustang spirit in the incoming freshman class and I’m very grateful for our upperclassmen who set such great examples in our link crew.”