By Kristal Ngo
Staff Writer
PHOTO COURTESY/ HelioTech
Campus gates open at dawn as Link Crew leaders, equipped with pom-poms, cheers and excitement, part into a path for the students flooding through the gym door. Link Crew Coordinator Tommy Tan cues the leaders to organize as he prepares to give the first welcome to the 400 incoming freshmen at the Freshman Orientation on Aug. 8.
“I wasn’t a part of [Link Crew] growing up, but I remember the messaging was really good,” Tan said. “It’s about making people feel welcomed at high school. I’m all about making people feel welcomed.”
Tan began his journey with Link Crew after being invited by Coordinator Dianne Blank when an advisor spot opened. Since 2024, Tan has been working with leaders for two years.
“[Link Crew is] kind of like planting a tree,” Tan said. “You might not necessarily see what the tree ends up or the fruit that it bears. You just go send your leaders out and hope that they do a great job and trust them.”
Under the guidance of the Coordinators Blank, Martinez and Tan, Link Crew plans several events throughout the year, including the Freshman Orientation. Other events are often seasonal or festive, like the Halloween Party in late October. According to each advisor’s schedule, they divide the work to instruct leaders, prepare supplies and ensure attendance.
“I had no idea how much work or effort it would need to be a Link Crew Coordinator,” Tan said. “It’s really about being the best role model that you can be and having the most energy. It’s challenging because sometimes I’m not even myself. I’m this ideal version of what a Coordinator should be. The goal for me is to eventually be that person.”
Tan began his third year working at Temple City as a chemistry teacher and varsity tennis coach this fall. Outside of his fixed schedule, Tan attends freshmen activities, Link Crew training and meetings for the advisors. Through these efforts, Tan hopes the program will expand to reach more students in the future.
“Mr. Tan in particular, he makes it feel like whatever he needs it to be in that moment,” senior Link Crew Leader Timothy Williams Jr. said, “If he needed to focus, it’s a workplace. If it’s funny, it’s gonna be a circus. When it’s time to be vulnerable, to talk about whatever experiences you have, struggles, faults, or whatever, that’s when it feels like home.”