Parkway Central High School - Spur Yearbook (Chesterfield, MO)

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O11 1 gs J peer counsel- 5 for a second itti Morrissey, . the class and counselors. l used my skills g, said Maca- ged not only to ut a place for s they prepare ittener, Matt be, Chris Miller, mer, Patty We are learning through teaching Peer teaching began in 1984 when the Parkway schools started thinking about well- ness. lt was an extra curricular activity main- ly for seniors and juniors who were interest- ed in working with people. The sponsors were Carole Clary, Steve Urbach, and Lona Lewis. Out of numerous applicants, only 30 were chosen. The selections were based on an interview, an application form, teacher rec- ommendation, grades, but not necessarily an honors student, good citizen records, and the amount of interest expressed. Sponsors avoided choosing individuals who were too involved with other activities. The program's purpose at PCH was to teach decision making skills to young stu- dents at the junior high. After extensive training, peer teachers paired up and taught four classes, during the spring, every Tues- day for four weeks, at the junior high. Their training consisted of a three day retreat along with the other Parkway schools. At their retreat the teachers worked for eight to 10 hours a day taking classes and learning how to teach prevention concepts, self es- teem, coping with stress, refusal skills, and decision making skills from experts in these fields. The people who make the best peer coun- selors according to Clary, Are students who are successful, who can be comfortable at school and at home, cope with stress and realize that they can say no. Most important, people who have faith in themselves and learn as they teach! Peer teachers worked in conjunction with - , - -. ' -' ,. . LJ Q... . . . -, A. - ,4......1.n...4.-.4..-.....,S . ,,.-.,,.Ah..-kr- - ........ V Progressive youth, a United Way Funded organization, The program was successful and well worth the time because it taught our Central students new sills and opened up lines of communication between our ju- nior high kids and the high school students, as well as provide them with good role mo- dels, Clary said adding Many former peer teachers felt the best thing about being a peer teacher was that many of the teachers were treated like adults for the first time. Junior Shannon Sonnabend teaches students at the Ju- nior High about coping with stress. Front Row: David Rudman, Dan Friedman, Isabel Cal- houn, Niki Uldrich, Karen Watz, Jennifer Ryan, Nicole Osheroff, Melissa Toledo. Second Row: Carol Clary, Liz Hoffman, Danny Weinstein, Alice Herrick, Mike Tachens. Third Row: Steve Urbach, Melinda Thomas, Kristin Ivy, Sasa Hart, Mike Klevins, Lisa Azu, Ellen Moss, Kristi Brown. Student Life ' . .. , ....... - ,... .,,

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People to count on Twenty-four students sat in the room and listened intently as the instructor outlined the behavoir patterns of a chemical dependent. After their lesson, the students discussed it and even related person- al experiences. This didn't sound like a typical high school student. Peer Counsel- ing was sponsored and taught by Mary Kumer, a crisis counselor at Central. Made up of a select group of juniors and seniors, they were recommended and interviewed for the class. I looked for a person who had an open, accepting attitude, who was not afraid to take risks and grow, said Kumer. The element of trust between the students and Kumer was extremely important to the class. Mary Kumer was great, said Junior Stacy Cohen, She gave us guidance and her opinion, but still let us make our own decisions. Peer Counseling gave students a chance for personal growth and development as well as advising other students with problems. The students were taught how to be sensitive and detect a problem and how to intervene without giving a solution, said Kumer. They were also trained to help a person bring out his feelings through talking, and if neccessary, bring the problem to an adult. The program was focused on students' feelings, developing a person's self-worth, and a more open and accepting attitude. Cohen said, Peer Counseling helped me to help myself. I learned how to identify and understand my feelings and l went through steps to work them out. They learned methods to help themselves and others deal with problems concerning school, relationships, stress, families, drugs, eating disorders, depression, and suicide. To learn more about these situations, the students watched videotapes, and kept journals of their individual counseling. Peer Counselors involved themselves in many school activities. They were involved in Awareness Week at Central and advised other schools in starting similiar programs. The class was written about in the newspaper, included in a television news story, and , , 5 . 0. ll tl ., I' I r . i 41 i . -asf' ' ,. even consulted on a movie. Also, this year, advanced peer counsel- ing was added to the class for seniors taking the class for a second time. The three advanced peer counselors were Patti Morrissey, Kevin Rosen, and Terry Macalady. They helped lead the class and worked more closely with administrators and school counselors. I learned how to communicate with people better and used my skills from last year to do a lot more individual counseling, said Maca- lady. Peer Counseling showed that Central students worked not only to make school a place for strengthening intelligence, but a place for personal growth and development as well. Junior Lori Swabby practices counseling Junior Jamie Sterneck as they prepare to counsel other classmates. Front Row: Mitchelle Camp, Amy Tecklin, Ellen Dunn, Kim Whittener, Matt Dattilo. Middle Row: Lisa Hirschberg, Jamie Sterneck, John Giebe, Chris Miller, Pat Edwards, Stacy Cohen. Back Row: Lori Swabby, Mary Kummer, Patty Morrissey, John Sasfai, Terry Macalady. 1 , Peer t Parkway ness. lt w ly for ser ed in w were Cal Lewis. Out of chosen. interview ommendi honors s the amor avoided involved The p teach de dents at training, four clas day for f training along wi their reti 10 hour:

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Sadie Hawkins is an early surprise Everyone was talking about itg Did you know that Sadie Hawkins is in two weeks? The most common answer was No Way, why so early? This year the junior student council decid- ed to try something new and have the annual Sadie Hawkins dance in March, a month earlier than in the past. Sadie Hawkins is a time when there is a lot of anxiety and tension amongst most Park- way Central girls. lt seems all of a sudden the most outgoing and straightforward girls seem to be overwhelmed with shyness. This dance, gave the girl a chance to ask out the guy of her dreams. In addition to the later date, Sadie Haw- kins seemed to be different from the past. This year the turnout did not prove to be as successful, A lot of girls asked guys but no one seemed to make it to the dance, said Senior Todd Galbierz. But those who came to the dance made the most of the low atten- dance. lt didn't matter about the crowd, we still had a geat time, said Junior Bonnie Fuchs. Traditionally, Sadie Hawkins isscheduled a month in advance of Prom. This gives girls the chance to ask that special guy to Sadie Hawkins in the hope that he will return the favor and ask the girl to Prom. Viola! Instant Prom date! f, WM, ,,,,,, f if 2 , .'! ' fd, BX Seniors Becky Ash, Howard Shapiro, Todd Graven, Mike Rogers, and Karyn Sadtler spend their last Sadie Hawkins together. fw- alf ' 2 .1 4 tw. ,fig , x fill: , , A ,La I it-, Q, FA 1 .I 7-, x ' fi wif are 2 y,, Junior Jean Giebe and Senior Dale Dalton enjoy a slow dance to their favorite song. l At, Sophomores Rachelle Hockney and Mary Beth O'Connell find a moment away from their dates to spend time together. J X 4 v. .,-,fu -au-Q-