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Link Crew events welcome freshmen
THE CLASS OF 2028
EU
Link Leaders at East Union High prepare to welcome members of the Class of 2028 during Wednesday’s freshmen orientation.

The first day of high school can be a scary experience.

So thought Haley Van Daele some four years ago. She was a newcomer to Sierra High after attending elementary school at Great Valley Academy in Modesto.

Thanks to Link Crew, Van Daele adjusted nicely to her new surroundings. On Wednesday, she was one of 95 Link Crew leaders at Sierra High’s freshmen orientation.

“I’m still friends with my Link Leaders,” said Van Daele, who is beginning her senior year at the school.

The first day classes are today at the Manteca Unified School District.

Many of the ninth graders have already been acclimated to their new surroundings just by attending the Link Crew event – training for Link Leaders consisted of team building, cooperative skill development, discussion skills, situation scenarios, and other activities.

“We had two days of training (last week) and a lot of prep work,” Van Daele said.

Sierra, which, according to Principal Steve Clark, is celebrating its 30th year anniversary. He welcomed the freshmen – 450 students are enrolled at SHS – as part of the Timberwolves tradition.

Link Crew advisor Tyler Ryan applauded those who made it to the orientation event for the Class of 2028.

“High school is about making great decisions – you made a great decision by being here today,” he said.

At East Union, 425 freshmen are part of the Class of 2028.

“Your class is the biggest one on campus,” said EU Principal Eric Simoni.

He encouraged his newcomers to get involved by joining a club or doing sports, theater, band, or choir. “You have one life – make the most of your time here,” Simoni said.

The Link Crew event at EU was once again held in the Dalben Center, amid construction on campus (freshmen will have a chance to experience the new small gym next door featuring a wrestling and weight room).

Construction of the new learning facilities is also taking place at Manteca High, which, according to Link Crew advisor Mary Ann Tolbert, welcomed a big class consisting of 494 newcomers.

Freshmen orientation was recently held at MHS with 34 Link Crew leaders spearheading the event consisting of an array of ice-breaking activities.