Orientation and Culture Day: Incoming students receive a warm welcome from Link Crew
Greta Cunningham ‘23, Communications Intern
September 2, 2025
Each year, the juniors and seniors of Cretin-Derham Hall Link Crew welcome a new class of incoming ninth graders. Link Crew helps prepare ninth graders for high school and introduces them to the CDH community with a student-led orientation day before their first day of class.
“We hope the ninth graders begin to see that they have a home at CDH. We want them to know from the very beginning that they have the support of their teachers, the admin team, and all the other students at CDH,” Social studies teacher and Link Crew adviser Alex Nuy said.
Orientation allows new students to get to know each other, older students, and the building itself. The day begins with welcoming activities in the Field House, before students split into small groups of eight to ten, accompanied by their two Link Crew leaders.
The first activities allow students to warm up and get comfortable with each other as they progress into more serious conversations about what to expect in high school.
“Link Crew leaders can offer a unique perspective to these ninth graders because they have lived this experience and are still living the life of a high school student,” Nuy said. “One of the activities they do is ‘Everything a 9th Grader Should Know’ which is entirely developed by the student leaders because of their knowledge and experience as a student at CDH.”
After having conversations in their small groups, Link Crew leaders gave students a tour of the building. All ninth graders then came back together in the Field House for the welcoming ceremony.
The remainder of the day was spent by Link Crew leaders walking students through their schedules and locker assignments, iPad distribution, a technology lesson, and a dean’s meeting.
“I hope to support them by giving them my true, authentic advice about high school and how to navigate new surroundings,” Katherine Campbell '26, a Link Crew leader, said. “I want to make sure that every student feels seen and honored as they start at CDH. Starting high school can be scary, but Link Crew provides a fun day of activities to help relieve the stress.”
Ninth graders’ first day of class is called Ninth Grade Culture Day and takes place a day before the rest of the student body returns to school, giving new students the chance to practice navigating the building while it’s less busy. Students stopped by all seven of their classes and learned about counseling and academic resources, organizational skills, homework expectations, and how to get involved in co-curricular activities.
After classes, ninth graders met with their small groups from orientation day and checked in with their Link Crew leaders. Link Crew leaders then led them through reflection on their first day and offered their own insight.
Link Crew leaders continue to serve as a resource throughout the year.
“I said this to my crew last year too— I will always be there for them if they are going through anything,” Drew Sinna '26, another Link Crew leader, said. “Whether they want to tell me about a huge goal they scored or a bad memory, they always have my number to contact.”