Many students remember their junior high years as a time where everything seemed to be changing. Harder classes, new people and more drama among classmates can provide discomfort to those who lack a mentor.
For this reason, Sister2Sister — a program in which one junior high girl and one junior or senior girl are paired up — began with an introductory meeting, Sept. 22. The next meeting will take place in Room 621 at lunch, Sept. 29.
During the program, the “sisters” go out to lunch twice a month to the Promised Land — the shopping center on the corner of Cedar and Herndon — where they hope to grow closer and get to know each other. This time together provides a safe environment for mentoring and discussion about everyday life that students may find uncomfortable to talk about with parents or fellow classmates.
“The best part of Sister2Sister is being able to impact these girls’ lives in a positive way,” Cassidy Hutchins, ’11, said. “I remember junior high was not a good time for me, and I really would have appreciated it if someone older was there to listen to me and help me.”
Starting this year, peer counseling will continue as a club instead of a course due to recent cutbacks in classes. It will be led mainly by academic adviser Molly Sargent, along with help from any other female teachers.
Sargent, who taught peer counseling in the past, recognizes the benefits that junior high girls receive from the program.
“Peer counseling provides a way for junior high girls to have an older friend who is wise in Scripture,” Sargent said. “They have also experienced what they are going through and can assure them that it will end.”
Some students, such as eighth grader Natalie Griffin, lack an older figure to look up to and hope Sister2Sister will provide that relationship.
“I’m the oldest in my family, so I’m always looking after my siblings,” Griffin said. “It was nice getting to spend time with someone older than me.”
Larger programs similar to Sister2Sister have seen enormous success. One such group, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central California, currently provides mentor relationships for over 300 children ages 9-14.
According to 2009 surveys of those who participated, 90 percent of those involved experienced a self-confidence boost, with 81 percent reporting improved relationships with their peers.
Besides Sister2Sister, this year will be the first for the corresponding program Brother to Brother, where high school boys mentor junior high males.
For more information on Sister2Sister, e-mail Molly Sargent. For past coverage of the program, read the Dec. 9, 2009, article, Sister2Sister fosters constructive relationships.
