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Grads help greet MHS freshmen
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It’s not too often that a recent graduate will return to campus and lend a helping hand to a group of newcomers.
Such was the case of Kara Petra and Alex Talbert.
Both were instrumental in assisting Manteca High Link Crew advisor Mary Ann Tolbert Wednesday with facilitating activities and other chores associated with freshmen orientation.
“They’ve been a big help,” said Tolbert, who relied on the two Class of 2017 graduates to work with her 30 Link Crew leaders while helping guide some 454 ninth graders.
Many of the newcomers arrived bright and early at a sundrenched Guss Schmiedt Field to take part in a variety of ice-breaking activities.
Petra remembered that process of a few years ago when she was a freshman at MHS.
“We had Link Crew back then but it wasn’t as expansive,” he said.
Petra noted that the first day of school – Manteca Unified kicks off the 2017-18 school year on Monday – can still be overwhelming.
For a freshman, there’s still that period of adjustment such as getting used to a new campus, seeing plenty of new faces, and even fumbling around with the locker combination.
Link Crew does help in that transition, said Petra, who was involved in the leadership programs and Link Crew during her hears at MHS.
She’ll be attending Modesto Junior College in the fall.
This international high school transition program that not only welcomes freshmen but makes them feel comfortable throughout that first year at the school.
At MHS, the newcomers representing the Class of 2021 were broken into small groups of 15, meeting and becoming better acquainted with their Link Crew leader, who will also be available during the school year as a mentor.
Students, in addition, toured the school and learned the do’s and don’t’s on becoming part of that Buffaloes tradition.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.