Inclusivity is key with PWHS’ ADL Peer Trainers
Inclusivity is key with PWHS’ ADL Peer Trainers
Schools across the country maintain that they do not condone bullying or hate in any form, but these schools often fall short when it comes to taking action. Plymouth Whitemarsh High School’s Anti-Defamation League (ADL) program knows how to take action.
Starting in their sophomore year, high school students have the unique opportunity of joining the ADL as Peer Trainers. As a group of three to four students, the trainers will give presentations on allyship throughout the first semester.
“I wanted to make the school feel like a safer place for all individuals," says senior Rachel Jeon, “I feel empowered when the freshmen interact and engage in the activities."
The point of these sessions is to develop a safe and welcoming environment in the PW community and to adjust the freshmen to the new school. Additionally, they give freshmen the tools to prevent the spread of hate in the classroom and other areas of their lives.
The Peer Trainers dedicate their bonus block time (the homeroom period in between second and third block) every week to running these workshops, and work to encourage the freshmen to participate in activities and engage in tough conversations.
Seniors Sophia Dunoff and Rachel Jeon are two of the 40+ students who have been making an impact in PWHS’s ADL chapter.
The students picked for the prestigious honor of becoming an ADL Peer Trainer undergo a semi-selective application process and a three-day training session to prepare for the social justice workshops they will conduct in the freshman bonus blocks.
One of the best parts of this role comes when you leave such an impression on a student that they decide to become a Peer Trainer the next year. When another student makes the decision to spread kindness, the impact of the ADL becomes clearer.
“As a freshman, I looked up to my Peer Trainers and deeply respected the way in which they encouraged me to provide insight to difficult conversations. Ultimately, it was their passion that inspired me to join the ADL as a sophomore.” Says senior Dani Bard-Maizel.
The chapter, led by sponsors Lee Gould and Amy Wapnitsky pulls together each member of the school community to promote inclusivity and awareness in a way that no other school district can rival.
However, the work is not yet done, but with each incoming freshman class inspired by the positivity and inclusivity preached by the passionate ADL Peer Trainers, PWHS is moving closer to ensuring that hate will not prevail; it simply has no place here.
As a national organization, ADL focuses on combating all forms of bias and bullying. They challenge prejudice and stereotypes aimed towards certain groups or minorities. It is clear why the ADL’s mission is so important — it works to rid the school of hate. As students learn about these topics and actively challenge their existence, the PWHS community confronts the core issues faced everywhere within the world.