Smoky Hill High School - Yearbook (Aurora, CO)

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Place for People to be Themselves fi 5 if , 5? M Y f'-f' T, SUN . . . Dave Markwell relaxes after a hard day in the mountains. DEEP IN THOUGHT Mlke Wright reads his personal letters from other PC's. PEER COUNSELORS - Flow One fTop Left to Righty: Mike Wrlght, Michelle Fritzlus. Cathy Nelson, Vickie Marcelo, Lynn Owens, Mlesy Sessions. Jeff Herndon, Chrls Stephenson, Karen Dlttmar, Dana Dickson, Michelle Moodle. Barb Egan, Lisa Livlngston. Row Two lBottoml: Shane Poulsen, Tom Croke, Chrls Myers, Randy Knaub, Dave Markwell, Scott Doty. Adam Swonson, Tom Erlandson. Todd Galatl, Scott Kilkenny. Peer Counseling 81

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Smoky Hill Peer Counselors Offer f you have ever felt alone, you know how important it is to have someone to turn to. Smoky Hill High School's Peer Counseling program provides a place and people to turn to. Peer Counselors are students, just like any student at Smoky Hill. The only difference is that they have enrolled in a course in how to help people, to talk, to listen, to teach, and to just be there. Smoky Hill has a constantly growing and changing student body. Many new students move in each year - leaving old friends and familiar places - and starting over again in a high school as overwhelming as ours can be an experience. Peer Counselors are there to show students to classes, to answer questions, and to be a friend in a new place. Tutoring and assisting in course work is another function of the program. Students may request help in a particular subject and meet with a Peer Counselor to help them understand their work. The major part of a Peer Counselor's training is helping people be people. Many students at Smoky Hill aren't new, and it is not their first year in high school. But they want someone to listen to what they have to say and someone to know they exist. That is where Peer Counselors come in. Peer Counseling began at Smoky Hill in 1977. The purposes of the program are: to provide opportunities for students to experience personal growth, and enhance self-concept, to promote a climate in which people demonstrate care for one another, to provide students with effective communication skills, and to provide students with an experience in helping peers to solve educational problems, and to resolve personal social issues. Selection of students to the program is through an interview procedure. After the group is chosen, Peer Counselors attend a retreat in the mountains near the end of the summer. A picture of the group shows the unity and closeness that developed as they became involved in the program. When school begins they are assigned a time to be available in the office for tutoring. One night a week they attend a class taught by the counselors, covering listening skills, group dynamics and communication exercises which they use in creating a safe, comfortable environment for others to share their concerns and feelings. They also work during class sessions on personal growth on being someone others would confide in. At the first class Peer Counselors are given a button to wear this in a way they can be identified. The button is a snowflake - a symbol of the uniqueness of the group. Their experiences and their purpose is said so well by Elizabeth Ross: Life is richest when we realize that we are all snowflakes, each of us absolutely beautiful and unique, and we're here for only a short time. That is what a Smoky Hill Peer Counselor is! 1 uff . STOP! I can't swim! says Michelle Moodieg BURR Todd Galati helps Dave Markwell wash his hair. RAP SESSION Todd Galati, Scott Doty, Adam Swonson and Dana Dickson talk things over 80 Peer Counseling

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Precision recision is the key word for the Smoky Hill pom pon squad. They showed great ability in their perfor- mances with a little dancing, high kicks, and togetherness. But in order to execute these fine performances, the pom pon squad practiced one to two hours after school each day, and sometimes an extra two hours at night. Not only did the girls work hard, but so did their sponsor, Mrs. Toni Hawk. Here she supported her girls and helped them to become the very best. She gave up her own free hours to attend many perfor- mances as well as practices. Finally, all the hard work had its rewards. This year the pom pon squad was able to return with trophies of Excellence at both competitions held at Columbine and Bear Creek High School. But even more than the trophies, it was the experience of being a pom pon that was the biggest reward of all. Together the poms helped exhibit school spirit and became one of the greatest half-time events for all to see. is Key to Making Pom gay e FALL POM PON SQUAD: Qleft to rightl Tiffany Walsh, Lillian Marcha, Jessica Bolger, Leslie Senft, Shannon Jordan, Sabrina Smith, Renee Wren, Kelli Wright, Kim Phillips, Allison Freda, Tonya Mer- riweather, Michelle Markham inot picturedl. DANCE is just a few of their steps. ROLL OFF. . . once again Poms show their abilities. FRIENDSHIP is the key to success. 5-6-7-8 . . . precision and accuracy are what make the Poms the best. 82 Pom Pons Q1 .... A.