Everyone can remember being a young student and looking at upperclassmen as superheroes who have it all together. Whether it’s a pat on the back, a high five, or a nod in the hallway, any kind of acknowledgment from upperclassmen goes a long way to making younger students feel valued and known. If a pat on the back means that much, imagine the influence deep conversations between older and younger Arrows have on promoting healthy attitudes and behaviors.
These deep conversations between Arrows across grade levels are now blossoming more than ever as a result of the Peer Education Program where students discuss important health issues and share meaningful, personal experiences in a way that enhances the St. Sebastian’s brotherhood. This initiative is a component of the school’s Health & Wellness Program, a strategic priority developed by the Board, parents and administration working closely together and supported by the Johnson-McCarthy Fund. Officially launched in the fall of 2022, the Peer Education Program expands upon St. Sebastian’s goal of inspiring our young men to become ever more fully the best they can be in body, mind, and spirit.
During the sessions, trained upperclassmen, called Peer Educators, act as discussion facilitators who ask young Arrows in seventh and eighth grade questions that resonate specifically with their stage of life, the state of the world, and their generation. Recent topics covered include social media, chirping, gambling, substance abuse, video game addiction, anxiety, exam stress, and more. The topics are selected based on results from surveys taken by Arrows to assess their perception of health and wellness, as well as feedback from Peer Educators and administrators in terms of what they think would be most relevant to the boys. According to St. Sebastian’s Consulting Psychologist, Dr. Ed Zadravec, “The hope is that when kids think about coming here, they think about more than just the academics and athletics. They also think that this is a place where they can get the support they need and that asking for help is integral to their learning process. This program really gets at the heart of what it means to be a young person in society now.” To further capitalize on these program benefits, Peer Educators also participate in events around campus such as Food for Thought, a monthly initiative for eighth graders run by Director of Health Services Jen Joyce and Dr. Zadravec. They also played a role in facilitating small-group discussions at Unity Day, a school-wide event that welcomes speakers to St. Sebastian’s.
With a strong desire to provide guidance to younger students, Charlie Bacon ’23 took a lead in helping to shape the Peer Education Program. “I had little direction or confidence coming into St. Seb’s, and some advice from upperclassmen would have gone a long way,” he recalled. Along with the group of Peer Educators, Coordinator of the Health & Wellness Program Dave Hinman, Dr. Zadravec, and faculty member Ryan Sanderson ’12 play a critical role in the program. Dr. Zadravec trains Peer Educators to orient them to their role and help them understand how best to facilitate meaningful dialogue about sensitive matters. In addition to training, the wellness team meets twice a month with Peer Educators. The first meeting helps prepare them for upcoming sessions by talking through ideas, brainstorming questions to ask and points to bring up. The second meeting is a debrief after each session about what they learned and what they could have done differently. “The Peer Educators are not experts, they create discussion,” shared Hinman. “Kids often relate to and trust others in their own circumstances more than professionals. We’re identifying some areas where our students are struggling and finding ways to help them.”
The Peer Educators serve as great role models for underclassmen, but Peer Educator Brendan Schmidt ’24 asserts that it’s a two-way street. “I have appreciated the opportunity to learn from others far younger than me. One topic I really enjoyed discussing was anxiety, and mental health in general. Being able to relate to the shared experiences of the younger kids was invaluable for me. Showing them that the older juniors and seniors who may seem distant but are actually experiencing the same feelings helped bridge the gap and create a sense of understanding.” Fellow Peer Educator James Joyce ’24 observed that opening up about himself allowed younger students to feel more open to participating in these sometimes vulnerable sessions. “We learned through experience that sharing our own stories and getting to know the students better allows them to feel more comfortable and share more about themselves,” reflected Joyce.
Whether an Arrow just began his St. Sebastian’s journey or will soon graduate, being a young person today presents a unique set of challenges. From Shakespeare to Dostoevsky, our robust classical curriculum exposes students to timeless stories with universal truths that help them make sense of the world and understand their place in it. However, it would be a missed opportunity if we didn’t also value the wisdom and give a spotlight to the lesser-known, yet just as valuable, storytellers who are right at our fingertips. These are the storytellers who you cheer alongside in Henry’s Corner, who you relate to more than anyone, and who might provide you with much-needed insight as you navigate the world together, as brothers.