Peer-ing Into Peer Leaders
By Elizabeth Liljenquist
Posted March 9, 2016
Have you ever thought about being in Peer Leaders? A lot of people have but they don’t join because they do not know very much about it, or what it takes to be one. Many people have no idea what Peer Leaders do. They do a lot of behind the scenes work without getting very much credit.
Peer Leader mentor Samantha McMurray explained what is necessary to be a Peer Leader. “You have to fill out a 'more about yourself' sheet and turn it into Mr. Miller or one of the other advisors and then wait to hear when our interview is,” she said. “After the interview, we all waited about a week to find out whether we got in or not. I was not expecting to get in because there were so many applicants from my grade but to my surprise I did get in. After you got in you had to attend the weekend retreat at Camp Shamineau where we were trained on how to deal with different situations that we might have to deal with.”
McMurray said she was scared for the interview. “I was nervous for the interview because it was intimidating with the three seniors and Mr. Miller in there,” she said. “You would think talking about yourself would be easy, but it is actually quite difficult because you are put on the spot and I didn't want to say the wrong things.”
So what do Peer Leaders even do? It is a group of students that are in 11th and 12th grade who are mentors for younger kids in seventh and eighth grade. They meet with their mentees and help them out with any school work they may need help with or just to talk to them if they are struggling with anything. Peer Leaders also put together little events every year for new students to get them better acquainted with the school and its surroundings. They also do various things for the community, like going over to Aicota and giving them cards.
Sam said she has enjoyed being a part of Peer Leaders. “I really wanted to join Peer Leaders because I had a Peer Leader when I was younger and she helped me out a lot and I really liked the idea of helping kids who needed a friend," she said. "I really enjoy coming together as a group and getting to know one another better. It is a fun experience with my peers and teachers. In the last year I have gotten to know my mentee pretty well and am able to help them as much as possible. I’m happy to be apart of Peer Leaders.”
Posted March 9, 2016
Have you ever thought about being in Peer Leaders? A lot of people have but they don’t join because they do not know very much about it, or what it takes to be one. Many people have no idea what Peer Leaders do. They do a lot of behind the scenes work without getting very much credit.
Peer Leader mentor Samantha McMurray explained what is necessary to be a Peer Leader. “You have to fill out a 'more about yourself' sheet and turn it into Mr. Miller or one of the other advisors and then wait to hear when our interview is,” she said. “After the interview, we all waited about a week to find out whether we got in or not. I was not expecting to get in because there were so many applicants from my grade but to my surprise I did get in. After you got in you had to attend the weekend retreat at Camp Shamineau where we were trained on how to deal with different situations that we might have to deal with.”
McMurray said she was scared for the interview. “I was nervous for the interview because it was intimidating with the three seniors and Mr. Miller in there,” she said. “You would think talking about yourself would be easy, but it is actually quite difficult because you are put on the spot and I didn't want to say the wrong things.”
So what do Peer Leaders even do? It is a group of students that are in 11th and 12th grade who are mentors for younger kids in seventh and eighth grade. They meet with their mentees and help them out with any school work they may need help with or just to talk to them if they are struggling with anything. Peer Leaders also put together little events every year for new students to get them better acquainted with the school and its surroundings. They also do various things for the community, like going over to Aicota and giving them cards.
Sam said she has enjoyed being a part of Peer Leaders. “I really wanted to join Peer Leaders because I had a Peer Leader when I was younger and she helped me out a lot and I really liked the idea of helping kids who needed a friend," she said. "I really enjoy coming together as a group and getting to know one another better. It is a fun experience with my peers and teachers. In the last year I have gotten to know my mentee pretty well and am able to help them as much as possible. I’m happy to be apart of Peer Leaders.”