As previously noted, the Hawthorne High School Clarion is now publishing older articles from past Clarion issues. What is featured here is from 2003.

A valuable, untapped source is available to students of Hawthorne High School. Students have been selected and trained to offer confidential assistance to students suffering from difficulties, problems, and longing to have someone to talk to. These students are better known as Peer Listeners.

Offering assistance to the entire Hawthorne school system, Peer Listeners not only come to the aid of high school students, but to elementary and middle school children as well. Peer Listeners serve as active members in the school community by heading up programs sich as Red Ribbon Week, which teaches second graders about substance abuse; Nyoda Hills Confidence Day, which helps eighth graders to build confidence and learn team work skills; and fifth grade question and answer sesions that give fifth graders the chance to ask any questions or voice any concerns that they may have about middle school and high school life. Each member has gone through a series of sessions with Contact Hotline to work on listening and guiding skills that help to make each activity a success and to properly communicate with different ages and grade levels.

The purpose of having Peer Listeners is clear and simple; to listen. The ability to sit and listen to another’s problem and then help them work through it, not by giving advice, but by helping them to either redirect their problem to and adult figure, or come to a conclusion themselves is the key to being a supportive listener. The fewer words spoken can often be the best way that these individuals help others in need. The program contains a diverse group of students to cater to the many unique personalities of the student body. Although each Peer may have their own style, they all have the same goal and participate for the same reasons. As Peer Listener Eric Tamm puts it, “We have the chance to truly help our fellow students.”

These often quiet but bold students have a pure and friendly outlook toward each Hawthorne High student. They open their names and numbers to the public and hope to help brighten another’s day through showing that they care and by acting as role models. With an upcoming overnight trip ahead where they will learn new team building activities and discuss issues concerning teens of 2003, the Peer Listeners will be ready to take on any new problem brought to their attention. Each member of Hawthorne High School should know that if in need of someone to talk to, there will always be someone there to listen to you.