There are three types of people – those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what just happened.
That’s according to Rachelle Fast, who, along with Jeff Greene, serves as the advisor for 84 Link Crew leaders at Sierra High.
“Be those who are willing to make things happen,” she said Tuesday at freshmen orientation held in the SHS large gymnasium.
Fast congratulated the 318 ninth-grade students – all told, 353 were registered for the 2017-18 school year which starts Monday – for being among those who “made things happen” on this day simply by showing up.
Included were Jacob Rodriguez and Jacquelyn Prieto.
They were familiar faces, having known each other from their days at Veritas Elementary School.
“It’s been a great time so far,” said Rodriguez after being involved in one of the many ice-breaking activities involving both newcomers and Link Crew leaders.
The latter was made up of upperclassmen representing a mix of the student body – athletics, band, choir, drama, cheer, clubs, government, etc.
“It’s been fun watching our Link Crew leaders step up and take an actual leadership role,” Fast added.
She said that a big part of the message for this high school transition program is for ninth graders to trust in the process.
Some did so immediately by taking part in familiar games such as ‘Simon Says’ under the directions of Fast.
“I know some are probably nervous at first,” she said.
Furthermore, the newcomers were divvied up after the assembly into assigned smaller groups – via computer program, according to Fast – consisting of two or more Link Crew leaders.
As a group, they’ll be together throughout that first year at the school, with the leaders serving as a mentoring resource.
This day was about getting to know each other.
“We also extended the program to group photos around campus,” Fast said. “We wanted to make the tour more fun.”
To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.