MASSENA -- State Senator Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, recently delivered $2,500 in special funding for Massena Central High School’s Link Crew.

The program partners juniors and seniors as mentors to freshmen, helping to make their first year of high school successful.

“Each and every day, we see the positive impact our Link Crew is having—whether it’s on the freshmen who are becoming more comfortable with their new surroundings, or the upperclassmen who are developing their leadership and mentoring skills,” said Massena Central Superintendent Patrick Brady. “This program has proven itself to be a vitally important part of the high school experience for our students, and we can’t thank Senator Ritchie enough for this funding, which will help to support all of the good the Link Crew continues to do.”

“For years now, Massena’s Link Crew program has not only helped freshmen adjust to their first year of high school, it has also helped upperclassmen develop their leadership skills and realize the importance of setting a good example for others to follow,” said Ritchie.

This most recent funding builds on $7,500 the state gave in recent years to support and expand the MCHS Link Crew program.