New principal greets St. Viator students

The new school year began Thursday at St. Viator High School with a new principal leading a larger student body than a year ago.

Karen Love opens her first year as principal of the Arlington Heights school with growing enrollment, thanks in part to a 10 percent growth in the freshman class, school officials said in a news release. The school serves more than 900 students who come from as many as 60 communities in five counties.

Freshmen arrived Wednesday for orientation and first day of school, while classes started Thursday for the rest of the students.

Junior and senior members of Saint Viator's LINK Crew were on hand to welcome freshmen and show them the ropes during orientation. LINK Crew is part of a student-to-student mentoring program Saint Viator has used for more than 10 years.

"It's built on the belief that students can help students succeed," said JoAnne Francis, director of student activities.