Welcome, freshmen

MILL CREEK – Some Henry M. Jackson High School juniors and seniors will do just about anything to get freshmen over their transition jitters.

The hokey-pokey and Duck, Duck, Goose were fair game last week as self-assured upperclassmen managed to convince reticent ninth-graders to unfold their arms, raise their eyes from the gym floor and shed a few inhibitions.

Ashley Allen, a senior, said a survey of freshmen found one of their biggest fears is seniors. Other concerns were lunches, a six-period day and finding their way around.

“We want them to know they have some support,” said Allen, a member of the school’s Leader of the Pack mentor program.

Jackson, where classes start this morning, reflects a growing trend: More and more high schools are tapping juniors and seniors to help make freshmen feel welcome.

Geoff Bennett, an assistant Edmonds-Woodway High School principal, believes the strategy works. At Edmonds-Woodway and many schools, the upperclassmen are part of a group called Link Crew.

“It’s difficult to statistically measure the effectiveness of the Link Crew, but I have noticed a decrease in hazing that used to exist in many high schools,” he said.

Bennett, for one, can still remember his freshmen year at Edmonds High School in 1967 when a senior football player made him do pushups on the first day.

At Edmonds-Woodway, the Link Crew has been in place for five years. Before school started last week, 85 upperclassmen volunteers helped 300 freshmen – about three-quarters of the class – explore their new campus while engaging them in ice-breaking conversations with new classmates.

The school has no trouble finding enough volunteers.

“We always have more people apply than we need,” said Sherri Webster, the Edmond-Woodway activities coordinator.

Last week, purple-shirted upperclassmen from Kamiak High School helped wayward freshmen interpret their schedules and find classes on their first day. They, too, will try to keep in close contact with their freshmen.

At Jackson last week, Allen, a senior, gave student-to-student advice about high school, telling her four freshmen to dress warm for football games and to give an upcoming ice cream social a try. She urged them to get involved in their new school.

Jackson administrators considered bringing in a consultant to help organize the freshmen orientation. The upperclassmen wanted no part of it.

“These guys are really taking it upon themselves to help the freshmen,” said Dave Peters, an assistant principal, as he watched the seniors leading flocks of freshmen here and there.

Typically, the orientation is not a one-day encounter.

At Jackson, the juniors and seniors will contact their freshmen several times in the next few weeks through face-to-face meetings or e-mail to check on how they are doing. They will invite them to a football game, a basketball game, a movie and other events.

“If you are having a problem, you can come to me,” Allen told her students.

Freshmen Jason Nolte and Andrew McDougal said the orientation helps.

“Finding my classes is my big concern,” McDougal said. “This takes some of the pressure off.”

“This helps. I don’t have any concern,” Nolte said. “I have been looking forward to this for a while, getting out of middle school and going to high school. I just can’t wait until school starts.”

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

Judge sentences man for role in human smuggling ring

Jesus Ortiz-Plata was arrested in Everett in May 2024. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced him to 15 months in prison.

Bill Wood, right, Donnie Griffin, center right, and Steve Hatzenbeler, left, listen and talk with South County Fire Chief Bob Eastman, center left, during an Edmonds Civic Roundtable event to discuss the RFA annexation on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds community discusses annexation into the regional fire authority

About 100 residents attended the Edmonds Civic Roundtable discussion in preparation for the April special election.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Timothy Evans, a volunteer at the east Everett cold weather shelter, with his dog Hammer on Monday, Feb. 10 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Temporary shelter opens in Everett during unusually cold weather

The shelter will open nightly until Feb. 14. Help is needed at the new location, as well as six others across the county.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens schools bond leading early; Arlington voters reject latest levy attempt

A $314 million bond looks to pass while Arlington’s attempts to build a new Post Middle School again appear to take a step back.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.