5 out of 17 Accolade Editorial Board members assert that Sunny Hills could do a better job in welcoming new students to our school. The minority claims that although programs such as Link Crew put a great deal of effort into welcoming freshmen to our campus, transfer students are largely overlooked — and those same school programs should work to promote inclusion among students who switch to Sunny Hills.
Incoming freshmen at Sunny Hills are immediately bombarded with events organized by Link Crew. The Summer Bridge program teaches them about Sunny Hills campus and culture before the school year begins. Freshman orientation allows students to meet each other and engage in group activities. Even Soak a Leader, where freshmen select a Link Crew leader to drench with water, is designed to spark excitement and school spirit. As soon as they step foot on campus during freshman orientation over the summer — which typically occurs the week of Lancer Days — they are greeted with friendly faces and team building activities from Link Crew. But transfer students, on the other hand, are left to fend for themselves. If we want to be an inclusive school, Sunny Hills must extend their efforts to these students as well.
In an interview with principal Craig Weinreich, we were informed that unlike freshmen, transfer students do not have the privilege of a designated program that introduces them to Sunny Hills culture. Instead, apart from occasional staff guidance, they have to piece things together themselves: finding classrooms, making friends and navigating clubs — with limited support beyond what counselors provide. We recognize that Link Crew leaders work hard to orient ninth graders, but no such effort exists for students who arrive mid-year or after their freshman year.
This lack of attention can potentially lead to new students feeling isolated during a time when making connections is vital, as high school is often where students meet their lifelong friends. Without a dedicated support system at school, they may miss out on school traditions, leadership opportunities or even simple things like a spot to eat lunch. It is clear that Sunny Hills cares about welcoming new students, but this gap brings attention to a blind spot in our otherwise strong hospitality to newcomers.
When transfer students come into our school, they enter a community where friendships are already established. Unlike freshmen, who all start ‘fresh’ together, transfers may often find themselves trying to gel into groups that formed in middle school — or even earlier. This difficult transition in connecting socially can isolate them, making them feel like outsiders. Although non-freshmen newcomers may receive some help from counselors with scheduling their classes with people they know, Weinreich said, the lack of an organized welcome can leave many struggling to find their place. Implementing a peer-mentoring program or a separate orientation specifically for transfer students could help them feel more connected and confident in their new school environment.
Additionally, while we concede that Link Crew is dedicated to introducing freshmen to Sunny Hills so they feel more comfortable on campus, the events they plan may have the opposite effect. For example, quieter or more introverted students might feel pressured to participate in icebreakers and activities that they dislike. This may create a stressful environment for such students, since they might feel uncomfortable participating in certain high-energy or group-focused games.
Link Crew could be improved by making its activities more inclusive to different types of students. Training leaders to recognize when someone is uncomfortable and offering smaller, low-pressure ways of connecting would help freshmen who don’t thrive in loud, high-energy spaces. Furthermore, the program could expand beyond its current focus of ninth graders and create a separate branch dedicated to helping transfer students. A few small adjustments — such as a campus tour, an intimate orientation or pairing each transfer with a buddy — would ensure that all newcomers feel supported when they arrive at Sunny Hills.
Our school has done a lot to welcome freshmen, but a truly inclusive school leaves no student behind. By expanding Link Crew and other orientation efforts to support all students — not just ninth graders — we can turn every first day into a confident start.
The Accolade Editorial Board is made up of the top editors and section editors on the 2025-2026 staff with the guidance of adviser Christopher D’Innocente. If you have a question about the board’s decision or an issue for the board to discuss and write about, please send an email to [email protected].
