PVHS Freshman recently learned that all students face some of the same challenges and how to overcome them during “Unity Day”.

The event included more than 90 freshmen, some of whom were considered high-risk students and chosen by counselors. The activities led by 26 Link Crew Leaders featured making new friends, a motivational speaker, team-building sessions and other inspiring messages.

Link Crew Leader Erik Ruiz said the idea for “Unity Day” came from a need to try to unite our school and show how barriers and prejudices are ill-founded.

“I think through the activities and the public speaker a lot of perspectives were changed,’’ Ruiz said. “A lot of students of all backgrounds saw how everyone is dealing with some sort of problem, and how we shouldn't just judge people based off of appearance. I think and I hope our school can continue “Unity Day” in the future and make it better. I think this event has the potential to get conversations going in our community, into how we are going to solve issues that affect us all. And most importantly we should all hope events like these are inspiring at least one student to make a positive change in their lives.’’

Link Crew leader Jocelyn Sandoval agreed, adding the environment was full of high school “reality”.

“Link crew isn't only a club for juniors and seniors but it's also a resource of help and orientation to all the incoming freshmen that have a pictured idea of what high school is and what in reality it isn't,’’ Sandoval said. “I'd say link crew is a successful high school experience simply because it opens doors to meeting new people, interacting with other class men, not just of one's class, but the whole school. It promotes unity among others at school and most of all it emphasizes and focuses on creating connections between upperclassmen with underclassmen, something that's very rare in high school but in the long run it's helpful. What a better way to have the experienced high school students give advice and motivation to freshman that are barely beginning their high school journey.’’

Business Technology and Link Crew Advisor Marcie Guerra described the day as “great”.

“It really seemed like all the freshman got something out of it and truly enjoyed themselves,’’ Guerra said.