On Friday, 51 seventh-graders participated in a half-day peer leadership mentor training led by 10 Tappan Zee High School seniors and Peer Leadership advisor Andy DiDomenico to prepare for the September launch of a new Peer Leadership program at South Orangetown Middle School.
The SOMS program, advised by Kristine Condon, James Amandola and Chris Rastelli, will partner eighth-grade Peer Leaders with sixth-grade students for a school-wide mentoring program. The middle school Peer Leaders are developing lessons that they will lead on the 3 B’s: Be Responsible, Be Prepared and Be Respectful.
“Peer Leadership was designed and developed to provide students with the knowledge, motivation and skills to positively influence their lives as well as the lives of those around them,” explained Ms. Condon. “Participating in peer leadership develops students’ self‐awareness, improves their ability to communicate effectively, and provides opportunities for students to practice and actively participate in leadership roles.”
Information about the program was shared with all current seventh-graders this spring; 51 students signed on to become Peer Leaders next year.
UPDATE (6/21): For the 2018-19 school year, seventh-grade NJHS members were invited to apply. Since Peer Leadership is a brand-new initiative for 2018-19, its was decided to start with NJHS members, since these students already receive leadership training as part of the honor society. As the program develops, SOMS plans to expand the application process.
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