By Christina Ford ’15 and Emily Mlynarek ’14 | Staff Writer and Features Editor

In order to combat the hazing that occurred during Spirit Week and improve freshman-senior relationships, Link Crew members will be hosting a tailgate before the freshman football game against Lakeview  on Thursday, Oct. 24, Link Crew adviser Dennis Pascoe said.

“We wanted to do something positive for the underclassmen, ” said Pascoe. “Celebrate their football season and fall sports.”

The idea to host a freshman-senior tailgate came up during a Link Crew meeting when Pascoe suggested they do some sort of event involving freshman football, Caroline Hall ‘14 said.

“On top of that we wanted to show the freshman that there are upperclassmen who are positive, trying to combat some of the negative things that happened during Spirit Week,” said Pascoe.

During the school day on Thursday, all Link Crew leaders will be putting up locker signs on the freshman lockers, inviting them to the tailgate and advertising the event, Caroline Hall ’14 said.

“(Students should attend) because I think it will be fun its a great way to support South, support the freshman,” said Pascoe. “It’s not just about the freshman football team, but that we support the freshman in everything they do.”

At the tailgate, Link Crew leaders will provide food, socialize with underclassmen and watch the football game, Pascoe said.

“He (Pascoe) figured that almost everyone goes to the varsity games and it’d be nice to see the freshmen play,” said Hall. “He also thought it’d be a nice setting so that Link Crew leaders could see their freshmen.”

Pascoe said that although the event is simple, it is something he hopes will have a positive influence on the freshman class.

“It will be helpful and make a difference,” said Chris Kolomjec ’17. “Especially if there’s still bullying going on, it will make freshman affected by that feel more comfortable at South.”

Although Kolomjec was not directly affected by hazing during spirit week, he said he appreciates Link Crew’s effort to solve the conflict between the classes.

“It’s nice that the Link Crew is doing this because you know that there’s always going to be an upperclassman there for you,” said Kolojmec.

Hall says she recommends that freshmen and seniors attend the tailgate and game because it will be a good way to improve the atmosphere at South.

“I hope its a positive experience, I hope that the freshman will know that the actions of a few shouldn’t change how positive the upperclassmen are at South,” said Pascoe. “They’ll get to know the people that are here for them, and that the school supports them as a whole. That’s what its really about.”