There was a time when hazing of freshmen on Nevada County's two largest high school campuses was seen as simply an unwritten right of passage.

And while it's not publicly accepted, some newly minted students still worry about getting stuffed in a trash can by upperclassmen or heckled at pep rallies, it's a trend that seems to be losing steam.

The people responsible for this reversal of fortune are the very students who, just four years ago, were the target of harassment and humiliation themselves.

"Just knowing that the whole attitude of the senior class isn't against you is important," said Brenna Weeks, a senior at Bear River High School who attended a rally during her freshman year when members of the Class of 2002 tossed water balloons at their younger classmates in a brazen show of authority.

As a new crop of freshmen arrived at Bear River and Nevada Union high schools this past week, legions of upperclassmen were there to lead them, helping each locate their classrooms, fill out applications for clubs and organizations, shepherding them through the maze of lines to add or drop classes or lending a friendly ear.

Thankfully, the trash cans during the first week of school contained only inanimate objects.

At Nevada Union, incoming students were treated to a freshman orientation the week before school started. In the days before school began, the members of the Link Crew, donned in special "Helping Freshmen Succeed" shirts sporting the school's blue-and-gold colors, ushered students to their new classrooms.

"What we want to do is increase the level of respect for freshmen," said Nevada Union Activities Director Claudia Kinseth, who has been assembling Link Crew teams for the last four years. "We want them to feel like they're part of the family."

At Nevada Union, that means being part of a 2,600-member family on a campus that stretches for acres. Freshmen make up roughly one-third of that family.

That provides at least one marked difference between the jobs Link Crew members at each school face. At Bear River, the majority of the students attended Magnolia Intermediate School a block away, meaning many freshmen at the south county school are familiar with each other. The majority of freshmen at Nevada Union come from at least a half-dozen districts large and small.

There are 83 members of the Link Crew at Nevada Union. Each prospective member of the Link Crew was required to submit an application and an interview, and prepare themselves for a relationship that could last much longer than a student's first year at the school.

Link Crew members are expected to update their freshmen friends on upcoming rallies, back-to-school dance and spirit activities, even ask if they need any academic help.

"It takes very little to let people know you care about their success," Kinseth said.

The idea for Link Crew was launched by Meadow Vista educator Phil Boyt nearly a decade ago. The program includes character building and mentoring for high school students and is used extensively on both high school campuses.

Nevada Union and Bear River Link Crew members attended training sessions and seminars over the summer to prepare for this year's incoming class.

Has it paid off?

"I haven't been late for any of my classes so far," said Nevada Union freshman Colin Raynor, 15. "If you ever need help, you can just ask them for advice."

Doug Vernon, an NU freshman who attended Seven Hills Middle School last year, hadn't really visited the campus much before last week.

"It's better to be helped around campus than to be trash-canned," he admitted.

The Link Crew students seem to be enjoying their roles, too.

"This was like the highlight of my summer," said Kristen Knerr, 17, a Nevada Union senior who's in her third year as a Link Crew member.

"I'm just happy to be doing anything to make this easier for them."

That's an experience a few of this year's Link Crew leaders have kept with them for years.

Bear River senior Katie Redmond, 17, remembers her Link Crew leader, Scott Keever, who kept in contact with Redmond long after he graduated from Bear River.

"I don't have any older siblings, so when I got here, I felt, well, linked to other people here," she said.

Weeks, who moved from Southern California to Nevada County as a freshman, still remembers how her Link Crew leader encouraged her to get involved.

"A lot of times, you feel funny going to the football game all dressed up in the school colors. But we want people to get involved. It makes school fun. I don't remember all of my classes, but I remember dressing up and going to all the games.

"I'm glad (freshmen) can look up to us, instead of worrying about being duct-taped to the wall," she said.