The Difference Between ASB and Link Crew: Applications are happening

By: Sydney Brammer

Redwood High School’s Associated Student Body (ASB) and Link Crew team are now taking applications to start building the team for the 2021-2022 school year. However, many students don’t even know the difference between them, what each one exactly does, and why they would want to join.

The ASB team is a fourth period class full of a group of students whom organize school events such as Homecoming and Cowhide Week, they plan the rallies, and host Student Equity Forums which is where students can gather and work together to make the Redwood campus a better place for students.

Among this group of students consists of what is called the Executive Board. There are six students that are a part of this special group- the ASB President, ASB Vice-President, ASB Treasurer, Spirit Coordinator, Rally Commissioner, and Inter-Club Commissioner. Then there is the class president and vice-president for each grade.

So, then what do all the other students do that don’t have these roles? They also have important roles and do different things such as the Athletic Commissioner, Commissioner of Diversity, and many others.

You must be a part of ASB for at least a year to run for an Executive Board position, but you can run for a class officer position (president or vice-president for your grade level) or another role without have being in the class before.

The Activities Director (ASB advisor), Mrs. Hailey Aston is currently in her second year of leading ASB. She says, “ASB is exciting, fast-paced, and full of school spirit.”

Regarding what exactly the ASB team does, Aston says, “Our big focus is campus culture and spirit on campus. We decorate for sporting events, help with graduation… anything that has to do with students on our campus.”

She adds, “… it is a time commitment because we have after-school work days where we prepare for events…”

If you’re someone who is looking to meet new people, get involved in what’s going on around Redwood, and a hard worker, Aston recommends you to “Just do it [join]!”

This year’s ASB Treasurer, Anyah Tillman, ’21 is currently in her second year of being a part of the team. She had the role of Commissioner of Diversity her first year. Regarding why she joined ASB, Tillman says, “I had friends that told me about all the behind-the-scene stuff they did… and how involved you get on campus.”

According to Tillman, the team makes posters, plan dress-up days, and many more things during the class period. She says, “We are the behind-the-scene workers who make the campus look nice for a rally, or plan a week of fun…”

Tillman’s favorite part of being a part of ASB is “making someone smile when they [students] see… how awesome a rally turned out. That feeling when someone tells you they liked something we put together… with a huge smile on their face…,” she says.

A characteristic Tillman thinks you should possess if you want to join ASB is being “passionate”. She says, “Having passion for what you believe you in, what others believe in, and what you want your school to be.”

She adds, “… if you as an individual aren’t self-motivated with passion, what’s the point of being in ASB if you don’t want your school to succeed with you!”

If you are “down to get [your] hands dirty, clothes messed up… and overall love [your] campus,” Tillman recommends you to join!

One of the member’s of ASB this year is Paiten Blankenship, ’22. Her role is the Commissioner of Diversity, which was Tillman’s job last year. Blankenship joined ASB last year making this her second year as a member. She joined because she initially wanting to pass out newspapers on the traditional event, Kid’s Day, however, once she realized exactly what ASB is and what they do, she was “excited about the idea of helping to put on all the traditions that make Redwood what it is,” Blankenship says.

In addition to what Tillman said, according to Blankenship, ASB makes “big decisions on the future of some of [the] traditions,” however, ASB also does the “not so exciting things, like approving finances spent by different clubs.”

Blankenship’s favorite part about ASB is “setting up the Bowl for football games, or the gym for rallies.” She continues, “It’s so satisfying to see all of these ideas that you have had in your head for so long being brought to real life.”

She adds, “… the people in ASB are very outgoing and welcoming.” So, if you’re looking for a way to meet new people and have a good time, Blankenship recommends you to join!

A characteristic Blankenship thinks a good ASB member should obtain is “determination” and “a hard worker”. She adds, “Some may say you need to be outgoing, but honestly, I disagree because I am not the most outgoing person and I do just fine in the class.”

There will be a candidate forum with any students wanting to run for an Executive Board or class officer position on Wednesday, May 12th at 11 AM. This event is a chance for the current Student Body team to get to know who is running to represent Redwood next year. Each position as well as the candidates, will be highlighted. If you would like to watch, you can find the live stream right here, on the Gigantea!

If you’re interested in running for a position, or just wanting to join the team, you can find the application on the Schoology page or in the ASB room, room 31. The Schoology access code is J8RW-HB4Z-X6WN2. You can turn in the application either online, or in-person to room 31. Deadline is Monday, May 10th at 3:30! You can also find more information on the team on their Instagram: @rhsrangers. If you have any questions, you can email Mrs. Aston at haston@vusd.org.

Redwood’s Link Crew team is a fifth period class full of a group of students who’s focus is on the Freshmen of the new school year. They’re the group that plan and host the Freshmen Orientation, Luncheon, the Freshmen Tailgate, and so much more. The class mostly consists of selected Juniors and Seniors, and a few Sophomores who are known as “Link Leaders,” and they become mentors for Freshmen.

Mrs. Victoria Wall, who has been the Link Crew advisor for five years now says, “Link Crew is a family who focuses on helping Freshmen get acclimated to life on a high school campus.” As you all know, coming onto a new campus with a different environment can be scary, it’s Link Crew’s job to make it a little less scary, and more enjoyable!

All the events this team hosts are free to the Freshmen with the sole purpose of making them feel welcomed and loved. According to Wall, in order to make this all free for Freshmen, the team hold fundraisers throughout the year to cover the cost of all the events. Do you remember the traditional Haunted House on Sierra Vista? That was created by our very own Link Crew! That is one of the biggest events that the team had to raise money for, and they accomplish it every year so the Freshmen can enjoy it for free!

For outside school events such as Freshmen Orientation and the Haunted House, anyone from Redwood can help out. ASB is one of the groups of students that volunteer to help Link Crew out. However, the Link Crew class itself “plan, work, and clean up all the events for the whole school year,” says Wall.

The team of students also have “one-on-one check-ins with the Freshman and go around on campus every week to talk with [them],” adds Wall. They will also sacrifice their freedom to go off campus for lunch to stay and enjoy time and get to know the Freshmen on a personal basis.

Dominic Zaragoza, ’22 has been a part of Link Crew for two years now. During his Freshman year, he saw a poster mentioning Link Crew and sign-ups, so he went for his interview and ended up being one of the few students selected to be a part of the team for his Sophomore year!

According to Zaragoza, members of the class do not have different roles like ASB, but instead they give each other roles when working on a group project. Some of the things they do in class are making “inspirational and advertising posters… for the Freshmen class, assignments on organizations that [they] could help with, and… hang out with [one] another…,” says Zaragoza.

Leading into that, Zaragoza’s favorite thing about Link Crew is the “family kind of unit that [the] class has made…”

Some characteristics Zaragoza recommends you have for being a part of the team is having “dedication, positivity, the ability to communicate…, an extroverted personality, and the ability to converse and work with others.”

Laiba Hassan, ’23 is currently in her first year as a Link Crew member. She applied her Freshman year, and was one of the few students to be chosen for her Sophomore year! Hassan joined Link Crew because she “liked how they [Link Crew] were focused on helping Freshmen,” she explains. According to Hassan, she was new to Visalia her Freshman year, and wanted a way to be able to “provide a better environment for the newer Freshmen this, and every year…”

Due to the difficulties of this year, Link Crew hasn’t been able to do the usual things for the Freshmen as they normally could. According to Hassan, in a “normal” year, Link Crew would wish a “happy birthday” to the Freshmen and give them a small gift. They also make posters and hold Freshmen-only events. In addition to all their work around Redwood, the team also does community service around Visalia!

Hassan’s favorite part about Link Crew is that “Everybody is friends, and it’s just a fun, happy environment.”

In regards to students who would like to join, Hassan says, “… it takes a lot of kindness… we are here to help others!” She adds, “… be confident as you are doing something positive every day… be a good person in every situation.”

If you’re interested in joining the Link Crew team for the 2021-2022 school year, you can find the application on their Instagram: @redwoodhs_link_crew. There is no set deadline, but Mrs. Wall wants you to turn it in as soon as possible! You can email her at vwall@vusd.us if you have any questions.

Tags: applications, government and politics, redwood asb, redwood gigantea, redwood journalism, redwood link crew, redwood rangers, sydneybrammer