Principal Robert White introduced a new organization to the school this year: the Lampasas Link Crew. This student group aims to unite the school through team bonding activities. White, math teacher Paul Weinheimer, and counselor Jennifer Adams lead this group.

     “Link Crew is a great way to mentor freshmen and new students,” Adams said. “Link Crew can help provide freshmen and new students with a positive transition into high school.When students know that others care about their success grades will increase, attendance will go up, and self esteem will flourish.”

     Students are chosen through a teacher recommendation or brought into the crew by a current member. Most current members were chosen by teachers for showing leadership and friendship skills. Students ,however, can tell a Link Crew member about their desire to join and can then be invited to a meeting with the member where they can sign up at the end.

     “My favorite thing about Link Crew is that when you join you write down all sports and activities you do in order to welcome new students that are involved in the same things,” senior Morgann Schroeder said. “I like giving new students in a weird place an automatic friend that they can talk to.”

     Link Crew members get to lead or be involved in team bonding exercises in order to develop social and interactive skills during meetings. Weinheimer and White have led most of the activities so far but have started to give more control to students.

     “Different kids get to choose different activities and then they get to lead their chosen activity,”  freshman Kelsea Moyer said. “I haven’t gotten to lead yet, but I’m hopeful and excited for my turn.”