Navigating unfamiliar hallways, making new friends and adjusting to a different environment can prove overwhelming for a student transitioning to a new school.  

However, two Queen Creek Unified School District clubs – Link Crew and Where Everybody Belongs – are working to make this transition easier.  

According to a press release, Link Crew and Where Everybody Belongs are mentorship programs run by students to help other students. Link Crew clubs are in each QCUSD high school and Where Everybody Belongs programs can be found in all junior high schools.

During a school’s orientation day, the heads of these groups host campus tours, lead ice-breaker activities and participate in group discussions. The purpose of the orientation is to help newcomers become more familiar with their surroundings and foster connections with their mentors, the release stated.

Queen Creek High School student Grant Lewis joined Link Crew at his school to be more involved and help others.

“I have moved a lot in my life and have had to start over in a new school and with new friends each time I’ve moved,” stated Lewis in the release. “Starting at a new school can be difficult, and I completely understand what these freshmen are experiencing. I don’t want anyone to feel left out.”

Link Crew and Where Everybody Belongs members continue to engage their peers throughout the entire school year with meetings, events and ongoing support. Consistent interaction helps new students overcome barriers they may face as they adjust to their new academic surroundings.

“On the first day of school this year I was walking around and talking to my friends and (a teacher) pulled me aside and asked me to help a junior transfer student,” stated Queen Creek High student Madison Newman. “He had no clue where he was going and needed help. I was able to do that for him.”

Jadeyn Mabry, a senior at Queen Creek High, explained how Link Crew offers tutoring assistance, motivates freshmen, provides support and does simple acts of kindness for the group they help.

“Some Link leaders take their groups out to ice cream or trampoline parks,” Mabry stated. “Others will get their group donuts every week. Sometimes it’s even just something small to brighten their day like a lollipop or a high five in the passing period.”