Link Leadership, a class designed to train upperclassmen in the leadership skills needed to welcome freshmen to Timberland and then provide this service, met daily in room 252 during fourth period.  

As all Link Leaders do not take the Link class, monthly Link Crew meetings took place in the theater one Thursday a month, allowing all leaders to meet.

“This is our 11th year of Link, and I have sponsored Link all 11 years. I really love seeing freshmen, who are kind of reluctant to go to stuff, showing up at our events and actually having a good time and surprising themselves,” link advisor April Smith said. 

Link leaders are assigned to freshmen packs, nineth-hour classes that meet every Thursday, and host games, activities and other social events for the first 20 minutes of pack time.

“They have made it more enjoyable. It’s easier to interact with more people and enjoy my time here,” freshman Carter Shall said.  

Sign-ups for Link closed February 13.  Next year’s members will participate in training before the 2024-25 academic year begins.  

“You are going to have some freshmen who are ready to go and some who are really reserved, and [link leaders have to derive ways to] meet them in their place,” link advisor Kevin Porter said. 

Freshmen orientation, which is Link’s biggest event, occurs over summer break.  About 80% of freshmen participate. 

“This is the most popular year we’ve had, and that just shows you the great job Mrs. Smith has done… [and] the supportive administration to continue our budget. They see the success of the program, and they believe in us. I believe we are making a difference,” Porter said.  

Updates on Link events can be found on Instagram and X under the social media tag @linkleadersths.