The first day at Ripon Unified is today.

Some 200 students-plus at Ripon High got an early jump, taking part in freshmen orientation Tuesday morning at an assembly-type event hosted by Link Crew.

Link Crew is a transition program that acclimates first-year students to their new surroundings. At RHS, the newcomers did so by engaging in ice-breaking activities. They broke into small groups, meeting up with their Link Crew mentors following the large gathering in the North Gym.

Included were 62 Link Crew leaders made up of upperclassmen – they’ll be available to members of the Class of 2027 throughout the school year.

“If you see anyone in a [member of Link Crew] blue shirt on the first day, don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said RHS Leadership teacher Jill Mortensen, who is in her 19th year as the Link Crew advisor.

Principal Keith Rangel and his administrative team consisting of Vice Principal Alisha Vasche and new Vice Principal J.J. Ramirez also stopped over to meet up with the newcomers.

RHS is currently undergoing construction of the two-story Career Technical Education building. Rangel will welcome close to 1,000 students this week amid the ongoing work on campus. “We’ll get them safely around school,” he said.

Mortensen, meanwhile, praised the efforts of the volunteers who stepped up in the pop-the-balloon relay game, consisting of two teams made up of freshmen. They raced to pop the balloon while being embraced with a Link Crew leader.

Senior Spencer Redula, who is one of the leaders of the student-mentor program, was part of the winning team. His class missed out on such activities a few years back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mortensen noted that such Link Crew activity, while fun, also represents what’s ahead for these ninth graders. “They’re life lessons, both silly and serious,” she said.

Administrators, teachers, and student mentors shared the same message to the incoming class – make the most of the next four years.