A few steps outside the counselor’s office, a Red Shirt Peer Listener greets the new student with a gentle smile. The new student shifts from left to right in the chair, his hands tucked perfectly underneath him. With eagerness, the Peer introduces himself to the new student and prepares himself to welcome the new student onto his new campus with open arms. Escorting new students around campus and ensuring they are comfortable with their situation is just another part of a daily routine for Red Shirted Peers such as Senior Josh Vardoulis.
For Vardoulis, a usual week consists of tasks that vary from organizing call slips to giving new students a tour of the campus. Even on days where Vardoulis is scheduled a counseling session, his daily tasks remain the same.
“Being on duty is like being a counselor in the counseling office,” Vardoulis said. “We are constantly running and planning and trying to make a difference. We have heard and listened to so many kids, and I think we have helped all of them through the problems they were facing.”
After greeting a client, Vardoulis begins to ask questions that allow for an engaging situation. He enjoys asking questions that will inspire his client to actively think about his or her situation, so that he or she will eventually find a solution to their problem. For the majority of the session, Vardoulis serves as a shoulder to lean on by simply listening to his clients discuss and vent their problems.
Vardoulis is constantly searching for opportunities to make a difference, such as finding events or people to help students overcome their hardships. Being able to offer and provide help to others has helped Vardoulis realize how important having support is for those in need. Even after high school, Vardoulis sees himself utilizing his Peer Listener skills in his future, especially in his aspirations to become a firefighter.
“The difference the Peer program has made on campus is often overlooked, but those who we work with are truly grateful for what we do,” Vardoulis said. “I believe that Peers are the hardest working, most caring and loving people you will ever meet.”
Peer Listeners are sophomores through juniors that work to provide aid or comfort to their peers. There are two different levels in the program: Trainees and Red Shirts. Trainees train to become Red Shirts, attending two hour meetings on Wednesdays under the guidance of Ms. Sue Hook, Ms. Maria Ioele, Ms. Kim Cales and Ms. Carmen Reyes. In these sessions students discuss how to handle sensitive situations, be active listeners, utilize communication skills and assist in school emergencies. Red Shirts are students who have already underwent one and a half years of intensive training which has prepared them to handle any situation when dealing with students.