The Student Ambassador program started in 2012. The goal was to help integrate freshmen into High School and make for an easier transition from Middle School. In 2019, this program changed from Ambassadors to Link Crew. Link Crew is a North American student leadership program. Juniors and Seniors are selected through a rigorous set of requirements and are trained as mentors for freshmen. The training process consists of team building, cooperative skill development, discussion skills, situation scenarios, and other activities.
As the Link Crew website states, “The program teaches students that by working together they can be successful in a positive experience. It claims to increase academic success through peer support. It welcomes freshmen and makes them feel comfortable throughout their first year. Link Leaders start the school year by helping at freshman orientation. This allows the Link Leaders to get the freshman class excited and develop relationships that will contribute to their success. After orientation, Link Crew continues to provide academic and social follow-up activities throughout the year. Through this program, students learn that people at school care about them and their success.”
For the 2024-2025 school year, we have 80 Link Crew Leaders for 400 freshmen and 5 staff advisers. Our upperclassmen still continue to serve as “Ambassadors” for our school. Along with the Link Crew program, we also have Transfer Ambassadors who help 10th -12th graders new to Portage Central High School adapt to their surroundings and provide them with a mentor as they adjust to a different environment.
