Students don’t tend to realize the work that Link Leaders put in to make the school function and some seem to forget what they do at all. They are the gears making the machine work, and they deserve recognition for the work they do that you probably don’t know about. Link Leaders help and visit our freshman, they make their transition to high school seamless and give them advice for school and for life. I’ve decided to explore the life of a Link Leader. I want to learn all their struggles and accomplishments and what it takes to be one. I interviewed some of our leaders this year to learn about their experiences.
Link Leader Bee Padua is a senior in the Link Leadership class, and The Link Leadership class teacher, the Link Crew manager, and English teacher Mrs. Scott agreed to be interviewed I asked:
What type of work does A Link Leader do?
Padua replied, “We help freshmen & incoming freshmen get acquainted with the school and students from Doherty to help them get settled and comfortable transitioning from middle school to high school.”
Mrs. Scott answered, “Link Leaders are responsible for assisting 9th graders and acclimating to Doherty and becoming the best versions of a Highschool student they can be.” What are struggles that you’ve had as a Link Leader?
Bee answered, “When people don’t know how to work together and when Link Leaders are hard to reach. also, when we all work super hard and don’t get recognized or we don’t get help or money.”
“Struggles running Link Crew are that there’s never enough time to get everything done, and engagement. Students never seem to want to attend every event Link puts on.” Mrs. Scott replied.
What accomplishments have you had as a Link Leader?
“I’ve gotten to know A lot more people and made all of my friends there and I think I’ve gotten better at public speaking.” Bee responded.
Mrs. Scott spoke for the success of all of Link Crew saying, “We’ve done some really great stuff last year, we worked with Chick-fil-a to connect with the community and largely with Freedom Elementary, we go to High Trails every year, and it’s an awesome experience for the upperclassmen and we developed a really strong group of Link Leaders this year.”
What are some events that you’ve been involved in?
“I did the middle school assemblies, I’ve been a part of Jumpstart, freshman orientation, and middle school events like field days.” Bee answered. Since Mrs. Scott runs Link, she’s always involved.
What are your favorite events or tasks?
“The assemblies” Bee commented.
Mrs. Scott responded, “I really love the beginning of the year assemblies, it’s a great opportunity for the Ninth graders, feeling what it is like to be a member of Sparta also the back-to-school dance it’s always a good time.”
What do you wish we got more recognition for?
“We decorate the dances and spend time on posters… we do a lot of labor for the freshmen, and they don’t even know it.” Bee rejoined.
“I wish more people realized the work we put into the school.” Scott answered.
Do you enjoy being a Leader and do you recommend it?
“I love being a leader and I do recommend it because the people that join are really nice, and it teaches you a lot about people.” Bee exclaimed.
A Link Leader hosts assemblies for the freshmen and even travel to middle schools to show 8th graders why they should come to Doherty. They continue to be involved in their lives to give them a friend an advisor. They visit students CCR classes and teach them life lessons and ways to adjust to high school life. They have a non-mandatory class that helps leaders be more involved in events. They plan out dances, choose theme options, decide what events they can host to get students more involved. They also create holiday cards for them and birthday cards and even give out candy.
