HHS Peer Leaders Make Key Connections

The following was provided by the Harrison Central School District. Log in and click here to post your news on Patch.

The Peer Leaders at Harrison High School provide an invaluable service to new and incoming students during the course of the school year.

The roughly 60 person volunteer club, mainly comprised of juniors and seniors, are responsible for hosting the annual Freshman Orientation and BBQ in late August, co-facilitating freshman seminar classes and assisting at events such as the HHS open house, LMK Wellness Week, the Annual HHS College Fair, and group activities during Husky Day at the end of the year.

This year’s crop of juniors and seniors applied to be peer leaders last May.

“Interviews are facilitated by current peer leaders and are done in small groups,” said club advisor Michael Iorio. “After the interviews, all applicant names are submitted to the entire high school staff for comments and recommendations. Upon receipt of all feedback, students are selected based on the interview, the feedback from the staff and administrators.”

The newly selected Peer Leaders participated in a rigorous three day training exercise over the summer to help them prepare for the responsibilities of the new school year. The group learned “icebreaker games”, how to facilitate positive interaction in small groups, and how to maintain a healthy atmosphere of respect for all members of the school community by being positive role models.

Look for the Peer Leaders at the HHS Open House at the HHS College Fair on Oct. 23 or, if you are a new student, during the school year.