Classes at the Ripon Unified School District resume next week.

For freshmen, that first day entering into new surroundings and plenty of unknowns can be one of dread.

Ripon High senior Francine Pamplona can certainly relate.

“I was terrified at first,” she said, remembering that early transition period during Friday’s freshmen orientation.

Pamplona is one of 68 Link Crew leaders involved in welcoming newcomers to the campus.

Link Crew is a high school transition program for freshmen – leaders will serve as mentors to the newest group of Indians throughout the school year.

According to RHS, the Class of 2025 is one of the largest number of freshmen to enter the school with 294 enrolled for the 2021-2022 school year.

Jill Mortensen, who’s served as the school’s Link Crew advisor for the past 17 years. was thrilled see their participation at the morning session held at Stouffer Field – ninth graders were seated on new visitors’ bleachers while following safety protocols given the recent surge in COVID-19.

Previous freshmen gatherings to kicked off the new school year were held in the North Gym.                  

“Adaptation. Innovation. We wanted to continue what we had been doing, but in a safe way,” Mortensen said of the return to the in-person event.

Freshmen orientation a year ago, amid the pandemic, was conducted online along with the virtual tour of the campus.

“It was great to see their face once again – having students back brought energy (to freshmen orientation),” sad Mortensen.

She and her team leaders – included is Gabby Ilardi, who was credited for organizing this year’s freshmen orientation while also having a hand in designing the Link Crew shirts – encouraged the newcomers to make the most of their high school years by getting involved in clubs, sports and other activities.

Pamplona, for one, did just that by getting involved in Link Crew, band and taking AP classes in preparation for the next step. She’s currently looking towards attending a four-year college.