Daleville peer mentoring program honored

Kevin Phipps knows what it’s like to be the new kid.

An Army brat, Phipps has attended 11 schools in the past 10 years. That’s 11 times he’s had to make new friends, adjust to a new schedule, curriculum and customs.

Phipps’ experience in having to constantly readapt led him to become a part of Daleville High School’s award-winning mentoring program for transitioning students. As part of Daleville High’s Student2Student program, Phipps helps counsel new students on how to adjust.

“I know how hard it is. I’ve been through it,” Phipps said. “I don’t want them to have to go through what I’ve been through.”

The Student2Student program is designed to help transitioning students with academic and social challenges they face as a result of changing schools and communities. Sponsored by the Military Child Education Coalition, S2S teams consisting of students and school staff are trained to be effective peer mentors.

S2S programs exist in 164 high schools around the world, all located near large military bases.

Daleville High, with its proximity to Fort Rucker, has a large number of students from military families. Ariana Davis, a Daleville High student who mentors in the S2S program, said these students are often frustrated with having to give up their old friends and spots in extracurricular activities when they’re uprooted.

“They’re angry and they don’t want to be there,” she said. “The hardest part is getting them to realize you can have the same things here and it’s better if you open your eyes and be positive.”

Daleville High’s mentoring program has had some success in meeting its goals. The program was recently recognized by the Military Child Education Coalition as one of the top four S2S programs in the world. Phipps and Davis are currently attending a Military Child Education Coalition conference in Texas as a result of this recognition.

Delanie Wilson, a S2S trainer, said Daleville’s program was recognized because of its focus on academics and its work in raising community awareness about the program. Wilson said students in the program have made several presentations to community groups about the program.