Students watching out for each other

Suzie Harrison

Being a Peer Assistance Leader at Thurston Middle School is more than

being a friend -- it’s a group of 30 seventh- and eighth-grade

student peer assistance leaders who facilitate others.

Throughout the past few weeks, the group helped with Thurston’s

dedication and has been an integral part of this week’s Red Ribbon

activities to help keep students free from drugs, alcohol and

cigarettes.

“We do a lot for Red Ribbon week,” second year member Ella

Gemmell, 13, said. “We sell candy, do a skit and wear shirts to show

the bad sides of drugs.”

To qualify, a student must have good grades, receive a teacher

recommendation and be interviewed.

Once chosen the students attend a camp during the summer to learn

about respect, trust, teamwork, conflict management and counseling.

“If two or more students are having a conflict, we help them

problem solve,” Ella said. “It’s confidential and they feel more

confident doing the counseling with a peer.”

Every morning before school starts the members meet for advisement

to discuss issues. Responsibilities include new student orientation,

community volunteerism, fundraisers and event leadership.

“We’re PAL’s 24/7 not just at school, but always,” Ella said. “We

always show PAL personality and be kind. We’re always supposed to be

leaders.”

Hailey Zoellner, 11, said she loves being in the group and was

impressed by what she observed them doing last year.

“I wanted to be one because at your first period class PAL’s come

in and talk to you and I thought what they were doing was really

cool,” Hailey said.

Counselors Kay Ostensen and Jennifer DeMark are the program’s

faculty advisors. Ostensen said the program began 15 years ago after

the Orange County Department of Education encouraged schools to have

peer counseling.

“The most wonderful part of my job is the inspirational work that

these young people do,” Ostensen said.