Redwood High School officially welcomed the Class of 2030 during Thursday’s Link Crew freshman orientation. Through games, campus tours and advice from upperclassmen, incoming Rangers got their first look at high school while hearing a consistent message from students and staff alike: get involved, step outside your comfort zone and make the most of the next four years.
Hundreds of incoming freshmen got their first taste of life as Rangers Thursday morning as Redwood High School’s Link Crew leaders, counselors, coaches and student organizations welcomed the Class of 2030 during the school’s annual freshman orientation.
The event introduced students to campus traditions, classmates and support resources before the first day of school. Through games, campus tours and small-group activities, upperclassmen helped freshmen begin making connections before classes officially start. Throughout the morning, one message was repeated again and again: get involved.
Link Crew is a nationwide transition program that pairs trained upperclassmen with incoming freshmen to help them adjust to high school. At Redwood, the program is designed to help new students build friendships, learn the campus and feel like they belong before the first day of school.
For Link Crew advisor Aletha Braun, the success of freshman orientation begins with the students leading it.
“I can’t brag enough about the kids,” Braun said. “Not only the Link Crew leaders who are supporting the freshmen, but the freshman class coming in. They’re outstanding.”
Braun said Link Crew works because it gives incoming freshmen the chance to build relationships with students who have recently experienced the same transition.
“I think it’s huge,” she said. “It gives kids an opportunity to build relationships with people who know exactly what they’re going through. I also think it’s important because there’s a community that is built.”
Unlike a traditional orientation led primarily by adults, Braun said Link Crew relies on students helping students. She believes those peer connections help freshmen feel welcomed and supported long before the first day of class.
For counselor Jazmine Martin, that first step is having the courage to try something new.
“Be brave and push yourself out of your comfort zone… and get involved,” Martin said.
Martin encouraged freshmen not to shy away from difficult classes or unfamiliar experiences.
“This is a place to challenge yourself,” she said. “You’ll be surprised that the support is here to help you get through a hard class or hard moments.”
Senior Link Crew leaders Alyssa Candelaria, ’27, and Kaelin O’Grady, ’27, echoed that message while welcoming students and handing out name tags at the gym entrance. Their advice was simple: be yourself, put yourself out there and take advantage of the opportunities Redwood offers.
Senior cheerleader Autumn Flores, ’27, also remembers what it was like to arrive on campus without knowing anyone.
“I hope I can get some of the new freshmen involved so they feel more welcome to the school,” Flores said. “As a freshman, I didn’t know anybody.”
Flores encouraged students to meet new people and participate in activities throughout the year.
“Open up and make friends,” she said. “Most people here are very nice, and they’re fun. Making friends is what this school’s about.”
Incoming freshmen said they were ready to get started.
Gillian Le, ’30, said she is looking forward to math, playing volleyball and softball, and meeting students from across campus. Her advice to her classmates was simple: “Don’t stress out about the small things.”
For Owen Onstott, ’30, who has already spent part of the summer rehearsing with the Ranger band, orientation made the start of high school feel real. Onstott said he is excited to begin band and the ACE Academy this fall.
“Live every day like it’s the best,” Onstott said. “Do good in class.”
As the Class of 2030 left orientation with schedules, maps and new friends, the message from students and staff remained the same: high school is full of opportunities, but the first step is getting involved.
Staff Reports
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