Sharing Our Knowledge.

That’s the Link Crew theme this year at Ripon High, according to advisor Jill Mortensen.

She’s in her 20th year of spearheading the transition program at the school designed to acclimate first-year students to their new surroundings.

Mortensen was assisted at the assembly-type gathering Tuesday by fellow advisors Chris Brown and Chad Poole – both teachers at RHS – coupled with 76 Link leaders at freshmen orientation.

“They’ve been training since last Monday,” Mortensen said of the Link Crew preparations.

Classes start today at the Ripon Unified School District.

For the RHS newcomers who make up the Class of 2028 – about 276 are enrolled to start the school year – they had an early jump on the 2024-2025 school year thanks to the Link Crew morning event held in the North Gym.

They engaged in ice-breaking activities before making their way to the assigned small groups consisting of at least two Link leaders, who will also serve as their mentors throughout the school year.

During freshmen orientation, Poole led in the “cross the line” activity with Link leaders, who stepped forward in sharing their high school experiences to the newcomers.

“They’ve all gone through what you will be going through (this year),” he said.

Poole added: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

 Mortensen urged freshmen to get involved in school.

“There are multiple ways of doing that – join a club or take part in sports. There’s something for everyone,” she said.