On Oct. 9, Help Our Peers Excel (HOPE) met for the first time. The club focuses on aiding freshmen in the transition between middle school and high school. Members are assigned to a freshman that is need of a mentor or friend. Members meet with their freshman link once a week for 15 minutes to talk about what’s going on in their lives. In the process, members become role models, mentors, and friends to those who may need it.

“Hope is about us finding a freshman that needs guidance or is at a disadvantage,” Vivian Nguyen ’16 said. “My job is to ask them how they’re doing, remind them to make good choices, help them along, and be there to talk and listen.”

The meeting kicked off with a powerpoint on the logistics of the club and activities the members would be partaking in, such as getting out of class for 15 minutes once a week to visit with their link. Members would use the time with their link to talk about their problems, encourage them, and help with their struggles throughout the school year.

“I like to help people,” Hannah Canter ‘16 said, “and this would be the best way for me to help as many people as I can.”

While the club may seem small and informal, members make a big impact. By encouraging them, HOPE members can make a lasting change on the lives of their links. Setting a good example for their freshman buddies, members of HOPE help improve their link’s quality of life and help them to succeed both in and out of school.

“I joined because I wanted to help someone,” Tiara Allen ‘16 said, “and I realized that I wanted to work with other students and make a direct impact.”

It isn’t too late to join HOPE. If you want to make a difference and help your peers adjust to high school life through mentoring, encouraging, and being there to help guide someone toward success, contact Ms. Amy Woolsey for further details.