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Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12

Impactful Presentations by Peer Leaders Resonate with Freshmen

From the effects of technology on mental health to the challenges of remote learning and exploring personal identities, Peer Leaders have been leading presentations on topical issues for members of the freshman class.

Our 12 Peer Leaders were assigned to choose and research subjects and issues that they felt present problems and/or challenges to their peers and then design discussion points and activities to best bring awareness to the topic. Over the past two weeks via Zoom, the six Peer Leadership mentor pairs have been conducting their presentations, with ninth-graders linking in to those seminars they’re interested in learning about.

“The Peer Leaders did a phenomenal job creating presentations on very relevant topics. They utilized online tools such as Kahoot! and Zoom breakout rooms to ensure that their projects encouraged participation within their groups,” explained Peer Leadership co-advisor Lisa Daly. 

This particular project had a retro feel, according to Peer Leadership co-advisor Chase duPont 2002, as it was assigned in years past to former Peer Leader groups.  Both Ms. Daly and Mr. duPont noted the relevance of it this year and the fact that it works using Zoom.

“Our recent project is a re-envisioning of a past activity we used to run in Peer Leadership back when I first came on as an advisor with John Greenawalt and Stephanie Spaulding. The essential guiding question for this activity was, ‘How can leaders communicate intent, direction, and purpose to an audience?’” said Mr. du Pont. 

He went on to note that while leading in a digital, hybrid, or physical space may present different challenges, understanding and reflecting on the communication process helps to prepare students with the skills to adapt skillfully to any environment. 

“Building off our earlier training on the communication process, one of the best things about Peer Leadership is that students have opportunities to put theory into practice,” said Mr. duPont.

The 2020-2021 Peer Leaders are seniors Timilehin “Timi” Afolalu, Samantha Aitro, Alexandra Blaise, Michael Coggins, John Echeverria, Madeleine Gollaher, Anisha Moran, Josh Mukherjee, Nicholas Perkins, Dimitri Ratner, Jessica Stanley, and Manxi “Samantha” Yang. 

Jessica Stanley and co-mentor Timi Afolalu said they selected their topic, Using Your Voice: Is Silence Complicity?, because “everyone is going through such an unprecedented time in history with crucial politics, human rights issues, etc., and we want them to know the power of their voice and how critical it is despite their age.”

Nick Perkins and Peer Leader partner Samantha Aitro said they chose issues relevant to their daily lives and used a slideshow and an interactive activity to present their materials.

Perhaps most significant in the case of this particular mentorship activity is the level of trust and admiration between the seniors and the freshmen. 

“Part of the mission of Peer Leadership is to provide student-to-student mentorship for the ninth-graders, and hearing about these topics from seniors can be really impactful. Chase and I are so proud of their work this year and their incredible resiliency to stay so positive throughout this challenging year,” said Ms. Daly.

Project Summaries:
The Effects of Technology on Mental Health
In this presentation, learn about the effects of technology on mental health. Between social media, school, and everything going on with the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health needs to be talked about and understood. Become more aware of the effects and impact of technology on mental health and why it should be a priority to upkeep since it is very important.

Using Your Voice: Is Silence Complicity? 
It has been harder than ever to use your voice and to feel as if you are being heard during this very unprecedented time in history. This project will be about the power of voice. This presentation will explore why speaking up and using your voice in many different instances is beneficial to yourself and others. It will also cover the idea of ‘Silence is Complicity’ and the way using your voice allows you to stand up for yourself and others who feel voiceless.

Remote Learning: What are the Benefits, What are the Challenges, and How Can We Improve It?
Over the past year, online learning has become a part of our daily lives. In this presentation, the pros and cons of this system will be discussed. Additionally, the topics of how online learning can be improved, as well as helpful tips for teachers and students, will be discussed

Preventing Drug Misuse and Addiction: What are Some Strategies?
Half of all new drug users are under the age of 18. In this presentation, we will discuss substance abuse and addiction by focusing on the harmful effects illegal medications have on ninth-graders. Most importantly, we will teach students useful techniques to recognize and deal with addiction in friends, family, and themselves. 

Is Your Relationship Healthy?
As people live, they form both platonic and romantic bonds that shape their lives, especially in their adolescent years. This presentation will help you identify the signs of healthy relationships that will allow you to grow as a person, as well as unhealthy relationships that can create negative environments in your own lives.

Exploring Personal Identities
What makes you who you are? Come learn more about your self-identity. Delve into the areas of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexuality, and more. Learn how to embrace aspects of your identity and how to respect that of others. 
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Hamden Hall Country Day School is a nurturing and inclusive community with a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.