“I wish more kids knew that they have a place to go talk to other people,” peer listening director Nicole Mulheisen said.
Peer listening is a club at the school that was started by science teacher Brian Hendricks around 8 years ago, and Mulheisen has since taken over.
Some people have the misconception that the club is only for students to pair up with other students and discuss their problems. But in reality, that is only part of it.
Working with the special education department is also a large part of the club as evidenced by their shared lunches every other Thursday.
“The special ed program is really dear to my heart,” Mulheisen said.
Peer listeners are actively trying to help, not only students with special needs feel included, but every student. Mulheisen encourages members to go up to students who seem lonely or are sitting alone and invite them over. She also stresses that anyone who needs to talk can come into the SRC.
Co-captain, junior Peyton Templar, knows that not everyone is comfortable talking to someone you don’t know. However, the peer listening environment is not so scary.
“We’re not judgemental and we don’t share things with other people,” Templar said.
Unless a student is in danger, the conversations with peer listeners are completely confidential. Every dedicated member of the club wants to help the community and their peers.
“It’s a relief to go talk to someone and just get it all out instead of keeping it [in,]” Templar said.
The club’s main goal is just to spread kindness and to help students be happier. Mulheisen realizes that not everyone is happy or satisfied with their life, which is why they want to help change that.
“I want to see less people in the school sad or not included,” junior Carter Smith said.
Both peer listening and the SRC are there to help make the school a better place. The group will always be there for anyone who needs help, you just have to ask.
“I just [want] them to know that there is a place, I will always welcome them,” Mulheisen said.
