by Brenda Hernandez, Staffwriter

Devils’ Advocate

The beginning of freshman year is somehow nerve wracking for everyone; from finding your classes to introducing yourself to an entire class full of new faces. However, I’m convinced that the new Peer Mediation class, has a positive impact on freshmen, who do not know what to expect from high school. This extracurricular elective allows juniors and seniors to invest time on ninth graders, and to counsel them in every aspect having to do with family, friends and school academics. As the year progresses, freshmen adapt with a feeling of comfort and a sense of assurance. Peer Mediation stresses the basic human concept – that life has its ups and downs, and that it is important to have a positive mindset in every situation.

We encourage students to join after school activities such as sports to become more active and aware of their surroundings. We also suggest that students volunteer in community events in order to gain community service hours. Our goal is to make clear that decisions made now will affect us all in the long run. We’re trained to know exactly how to react when it comes to negative students, and even to those who do not believe our class is worth investing time in. Not only do we set a certain number of standards for them to consider, but we also take into consideration any problem they may be dealing with and try to put ourselves in their shoes in order to relate and give reasonable feedback. This class is an advantage to all incoming freshmen.

If counseling interests you in any way, consider peer mediation as an elective as you prepare to choose your classes for next year so that you too can make a difference to help future generations succeed and make it through high school.