MHS teacher and Link Crew coordinator Amy Heimerl joined Link Crew members and the 248-member incoming 2016 freshman class, in converging on the MHS Field House and auditorium Thursday afternoon. Thursday marked not only the start of the 2016-17 school year but the Link Crew program’s 14th year in Merrill. Program members, teacher-coordinators and incoming freshman students teamed up for a range of festivities and activities throughout the day Thursday, including a dance and various skill building exercises.