By DAVE THOMAS

A group of Grossmont High School seniors have been doing their part to let others know they care.

Under the banner of a program called Peer Listening, a dozen high empathy, well-trained seniors have been supporting the school community with any arising social or emotional needs.

“As you can imagine, there have been a lot this year as we return to campus,” Krista Santoro, advisor for the Peer Listening program for the last decade, commented.

Laura Dawson serves as the co-advisor.

“Not only do these students meet one-on-one with students needing to talk to someone and host mediations with students in conflict, but also these seniors look for any way they can to affect the school community as a whole,” Santoro added.

Recently, the peer listeners hosted, “Where is the Love” week.

Each day the bulletin announced information on how kindness can improve wellness. The peer listeners crafted more than 400 heart grams, hosted music at lunch where they handed out the free heart cards to any student who wanted to spread kindness. They created a “Love Meter” and filled it with messages of kindness. The grams were then delivered to classes at the school.

The group also hosted a door decorating contest. Each participating teacher was provided a quote related to kindness for the theme. The PL’s chose winners from first to third place. Those winners got a pizza prize, doughnuts and candy bars.

“We were so impressed that we decided that all participants earned suckers even if they did not place,” Santoro continued. “The two-minute music bell was switched to use the song, ‘Where is the Love’ for the week. And lastly the students created a lesson about kindness, with some videos that were shared with the school to end a recent week.”

Student Jessie Kim said she was drawn to Peer Listening for the social emotional skills she could grow.

“I wanted to learn how to best be there for others, gain new perspectives, and meet Foothillers in a different setting,” Kim said. “My involvement in this program has allowed me to be part of the bigger picture and leave an impact on Grossmont by making it safer, more inclusive, and a place students feel free from judgement.”

According to Kim, she has enjoyed getting to see her surroundings through a different lens.

“Hearing kids my age be vulnerable really showed me how we’re all on the same boat,” Kim went on to say. “It’s helped me become a curious person, rather than judgmental. Beyond that, the program itself is so rewarding: one serious conversation truly makes the difference needed. It’s shaped me into a cognizant person, on and off campus.”

For future seniors with an interest in the program, Kim noted that it is definitely worth the time and effort.

“I can confidently say, without this program I would be a completely different person my senior year,” Kim commented. “It sets an environment for a passionate, genuine, and mature individual to sprout. The best part is, you get to help your peers in a way that can change lives at the same time. There’s no perfect peer listener, but a diverse group of kids all wanting the same thing: to make a balanced, positive and safe space. If that sounds like you, give it a shot. You never know.”

Fellow student Alazain Angotti said becoming a peer listener was an easy decision, after she received help from the program throughout the hardships she dealt with.

“I wanted to be able to bring the same sense of support to others on campus,” Angotti remarked.

According to Angotti, she most enjoyed being able to make a positive difference on campus. “I am able to find pieces of myself in every student I meet with because I too have had struggles of my own and being exposed to other student’s struggles while helping them through it has been very rewarding.”

Angotti said she would encourage others to be a part of this program firstly because while going through the training process, they will meet the most supportive and skilled group of students who they can build trust and be vulnerable with.

“They’ve become some of my best friends,” Angotti stated. “Because the feeling of being a resource to students in their time of need not only helps you feel more fulfilled at school everyday, but also causes you to become so deeply rooted to this campus and to Grossmont as a whole. It is truly a remarkable way to give back to the school and its students.”

Giving back to the school and its students is something this group has stepped up and done with a lot of heart.

– Reach editor Dave Thomas – dave@sdnews.com.