By Laurie Hindman
Berthoud Recorder

Starting at a new high school is usually stressful — new teachers, no friends, different procedures and classes — it can feel overwhelming. At Berthoud High School, Peer Support Counselors, or PSCs, make this transition a lot easier.

PSCs are selected from a pool of applicants in their junior year. Seniors interested in becoming a PSC complete an application, interview with five staff members, must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or greater and have recommendations from two teachers. It is considered a credited class and each period of each day, two to three PSCs are at work in the main area of the counseling office.

According to Jana Cline, BHS counselor and head of the PSC program, academic excellence is not the main factor they consider when choosing a PSC. “We look for kids who demonstrate compassion and caring for others,” explained Cline. “They have to be in good academic standing, but they are not necessarily the kids who take three AP [advanced placement] classes.”

Each PSC is paired with a new student. They give them a tour of the school, help them get a locker, introduce them to teachers and students, and steer them through the maze of registration and back-to-school night. They work special events, are a positive presence in the halls and provide classroom support and guidance.

“These kids do anything and everything,” said Cline. “Nobody really realizes how much these kids really do behind the scenes.”

Cline said after a month or two, when new students are typically off and running, the PSCs are then paired with students who are struggling either in a class or socially. There are 18 PSCs; each one is assigned three students for weekly, one-on-one contact. Additionally, they are available in the counseling office everyday if any student is struggling with an assignment.

“We aren’t all experts in every subject,” explains PSC Sarah Kemp. “But it works out because usually one of us is available who can help.”

Tom Divine said he applied to be a PSC because when he came to BHS, the program helped him. “It made my transition much easier and more fun.” Nicholas Alexander concurred. “I wanted to be a part of PSC because it helped me get acquainted with the school pretty quickly.” Nicholas said the freshman learn quickly that PSCs are there to help.

“It’s a great program,” added Kelsi Clymer. I have seen it work well, but also saw areas where it needed improvement. I wanted to be a part of making it better.” Clymer said one of the areas she and other PSCs will be taking on this year is good sportsmanship throughout the school. “We want to get the student body more involved in supporting sporting events and showing more positive school spirit. For example, there is difference between cheering for our team and cheering against the other team. We want all of us to demonstrate good sportsmanship.”

All the PSCs interviewed agreed that one of the best parts of the program is the camaraderie with each other. “PSC creates a nice, close knit atmosphere,” said Sarah.

In August, before the start of school, the 2009-2010 PSCs gathered in Estes Park for a retreat of team building. “They participated in fun exercises that brought them closer as a group,” said Cline, “but they also learned about how to exercise good judgment, provide unconditional positive regard for all students and be active listeners. Hopefully, we gave them a good start.”

In addition to tutoring and mentoring, the PSCs are there to provide good role models and a safe place to come if you are a struggling freshman or even a seasoned senior who is having a hard time. “Freshman learn we are PSCs and will seek us out for help,” said Nicholas.

“You learn that things aren’t that easy for some kids,” said Kelsi. “Some of them are going through some pretty tough times and it really helps you develop empathy.”

This, according to Cline, is where some of the greatest learning occurs. “They are exposed to new circumstances and this affords them the opportunity not only to help, but to grow. They all have good hearts or they wouldn’t do this, but listening to others opens their world.”

Cline said the PSCs are graded on their how well they fulfill their responsibilities. Additional responsibilities include working with seniors to get registered with the Colorado Opportunity Fund and other scholarship opportunities, as well as working with seniors to schedule their individual interviews and prepare their graduation portfolios.

The PSCs also do the monotonous, little tasks that the counselors and secretaries may not get to. They answer phones, run passes, make copies — “they do it all,” said Cline. “These kids deserve recognition. They are the life of this office,” she concludes.