We Are Family

Jenna Micko, English

Walther Christian Academy

$2,000

Middle school is always often a difficult time for children to socially navigate. Peer support, approval, and the feeling of belonging are very important to this age group. This is why Ms. Micko's wish is to implement a Big Brother/Big Sister program at Walther Christian Academy to build upon the close knit community that already exists. The Big Brother/Big Sister program pairs sixth through ninth grade students with an upper class student mentor. The peer mentor supports his/her younger mentee by helping him/her navigate those confusing middle school or new high school moments. In addition to creating time and space for weekly student check-ins, Ms. Micko plans on extending the peer interactions to activities outside of school, such as bowling, nature hikes, fishing, team building exercises, volunteering, attending plays, or even live sports events.

Ms. Micko adds, "I want our families and students to know that academics are important, but so is the social and emotional growth of each student. I want this to be a yearly club so if we receive the award of the dream money, it could help establish the club for the first year, and in the future, we can get funding through other means such as fundraising. I would love to start this at orientation. We have so many amazing 11th and 12th graders who can share their experience at Walther, and they can help with mentoring new students in a way that only peers can."