PAL-ing around

Deirdre Newman

Rea Elementary School received a face lift Wednesday when members of

the Peer Assistance Leadership program planted poppies in a rose garden

in front of the school.

The students, who volunteer their services at the Costa Mesa school

and in the community, said they wanted to beautify the area and help the

environment.

“We’re planting poppies today so it will look nice and it will make

the world a better place,” said fifth-grader Monica Gallardo, 10.

This is the fourth year Peer Assistance Leadership -- or PAL -- has

existed at Rea, advisor Kristi Pacot said. It is open to fifth- and

sixth-graders who have been recommended by their teachers.

The school’s Peer Assistance Leadership program was one of two that

will be honored at the annual PAL Program Recognition Event later this

month.

Throughout the year, the students are involved in a slew of volunteer

activities, including tutoring younger students, helping to clean up the

Upper Bay in Newport Beach and volunteering at the Someone Cares Soup

Kitchen.

Even during the poppy planting, the students were eager to help one

another.

Fifth-grader Ervin Herrera noticed that Ashley Melgarejo was having

trouble with some weak poppies that could not stand on their own, so he

helped her pack them with more dirt.

“I felt happy because someone noticed I needed help planting the

flowers,’ Ashley said.

Many of the students said they joined the program for that very reason

-- the satisfaction of helping others.

“I wanted to help people and the environment,” said Jose Cruz, 10.

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .