Every year, Tahoma High School gives the opportunity for rising sophomore, junior, and senior students to become a Bear Crew leader for the following school year. Bear Crew is a program run by THS leadership and students to support the new freshman throughout the school year. Application forms were released earlier this week, and if the following information sounds interesting to you, consider getting involved.

Bear Crew is a program at Tahoma High School that is meant to help incoming freshman feel that they’re connected to something at the beginning of their first high school year. The main events for Bear Crew occur  in the summer, but the leaders are expected to be flexible with their schedules for meetings during the school year too. In August, planning events are held, and a few weeks before school starts, freshman orientation is the focus. Throughout the school year, the leaders continue to meet with their small groups monthly to check in, primarily during the first semester. Each leader works with a partner, and the leaders have behind-the-scenes support from the Student Executive Board.

Bear Crew is an inclusive program, and they are looking for leader applicants from all sorts of backgrounds. This includes  athletes, people that play video games, people involved in band, and people that don’t do many activities at all. One of the leadership teachers at THS, Kristen VanHoomissen, stated that “what we want is for the freshman to be able to say like ‘Oh that person’s like me.’”[sic] The incoming freshman class will have all types of students, and the goal of Bear Crew is to give them someone they can connect with, so all students are encouraged to consider joining.

If you’re wondering, “well, what’s in it for me as a leader?” consider it a chance to hang out with your friends, and meet new people that you otherwise may not have met. Another benefit of joining the program is the chance to give back to the community.

VanHoomissen stated that, “you’re working with kids that are younger than you and getting that opportunity to kind of help them.” Bear Crew can allow you to share advice, answer questions, and help out new students in a way that allows you to pay the kindness you once received forward.

To apply, applications are on the window outside of room 104, the leadership class. Ideally, everyone who applies should be available on August 18th from 5-8pm, on August 20th from 9-11 am, and for freshman orientation on the 23rd, but exceptions can be made. They also ask that the leaders are free once a month to check in with their small group. The application needs to be turned into Vhoom by this Thursday, May 23rd. There’s a basket inside room 104, and the final step is to scan a QR code that asks about your availability, which is located on the basket.

The Bear Crew program at THS can give you the opportunity to work with peers to help the entering freshman feel more connected, meet new people, and give back to your community. Selection will be posted on May 31st, and there will be a mandatory meeting on June 5th, PHA in the PAC for those accepted. The deadline is coming up fast, and if you’re interested in participating, fill out an application soon.