The sound of students talking fills the hallways. The LINKS pairs make their way to class, sparking new conversations along the way. They walk side by side and talk about basic things, like what they are doing at home or their favorite color. 

For many students LINKS is a way to make a foster friendships, while also helping others. There are requirements put in place to make sure that the students they choose are up for the job.

“We are making sure that their LINK is serious about being a role model for our special needs students, and a friend. Number one on the job is being a friend. Then, of course, you’re a role model,” Heather Lounsbury said.

Also, LINKS has helped a lot of the participants have a better idea of what they want to do in the future. 

“I felt like I was able to, like, figure out what I wanted to do. Like, it kind of helped me figure out I want to be in education. Because, like, I mean, the kids are so sweet, and you get a new experience, and you get to, like, become someone’s friend.” Bailey Polleys said

Ryan Frantz joined LINKS because of his little cousin. 

“I have a little six-year-old cousin with down syndrome. I love hanging out with him, and I just want a positive experience with this.” Frantz said

While being an experience where you can help others and make new friends, it can also open doors for other experiences that other people might not get. 

“It’s got me a lot involved with other stuff outside of school. I’m coaching a student staff basketball game. We go to, LINK soccer games at DeWitt and we just do a lot of extracurricular outside stuff and you get really involved,” Frantz said. 

It’s also just an easy way to make friends and to help others while having fun. 

“I feel like it’s helped me grow as a person,” Polleys said.

LINKS is a helpful program that benefits the school and the students in multiple ways, and teachers and students alike agree.