LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — On Friday, Aug. 22, the Los Alamitos High School ASB and Link Crew hosted the first-ever freshman “Sweet Start” mixer. Loud music and laughter filled the evening atmosphere on the LAHS campus as freshmen played games, ate sweet treats and chatted with their friends.

In past years, ASB has hosted back-to-school dances to kick off the year and give students a chance to bond. However, after multiple years of disappointing turnouts, they decided to host an event specifically geared towards freshmen in the hope of achieving better results. 

“We got rid of (the back-to-school dance) because not many people came. So we thought this would be a more fun way to get people included,” Madison Quary, a junior in ASB, said. 

LAHS Link Crew, a school organization made up of upperclassmen who host multiple events a year for freshmen, attended as well to bond with younger students and make their transition to high school more comfortable. 

“This is a way for them to adapt to the new school,” Link Crew junior Romina Murillo said. 

At the event, students could play volleyball, giant Connect 4, football and spikeball. ASB was also handing out different sweet treats such as Crumbl cookies, popsicles, dirty soda, donuts and chips. There were also crafts such as tote bag decorating and face painting. 

“(The freshman mixer) was fun. I enjoyed playing Connect 4 and hanging out with my friends. I ate a popsicle, and my friend had a donut,” freshman John Awad said. 

The “Sweet Start” mixer was a perfect way for freshmen to get more acquainted with their peers and have some fun after a stressful first full week of high school. It gave freshmen a preview of Link Crew and ASB events that will help incentivize them to get involved in various activities at LAHS. 

“I think it’s important to know at least half the people on campus, and I think (these events are) a great way to do that because you learn a lot of new names,” Quary said.

As the school year progresses, Link Crew and ASB will host a variety of events, like the “Sweet Start” mixer. Freshmen are encouraged to stay on the lookout for these opportunities to bond with their classmates and make the most of their high school experience.