Peer Assistance and Leadership (PALs) began in the late 1970’s as a class that combined “peer assistance” and “peer leadership,” and was offered to students to help develop habits of team building and leadership. Now, PALs is a lot more than just a traditional class about leadership. It is a class that allows students to make an impact on those around them.

“PALs are a group of people who help different groups of students in and outside of school,” senior Mayte Mejia-Barrera said

Besides helping new students and participating in school activities, PALs also helps a variety of age groups within many different schools.

“We mentor elementary school kids,” Mejia-Barrera said. “We help them with any homework or anything they might be dealing with at home. These kids might not get a lot of attention at home, so we are there for them.”

PALs also interact with the special needs students at West and establish relationships with them on a more personal basis.

“I love to work with special needs kids,” senior Erik Daniels said. “Being able to work with them is so much fun.”

PALs engage with these groups in numerous ways. They especially connect through the many projects they accomplish throughout the year.

“We make the homecoming mums for the special needs students and we also organize the Special Olympics,” PALs teacher Mrs. Hicks said.

During the holiday season, they also plan events to make the holidays a little more special, such as help provide food for people at Thanksgiving. By helping different groups of people in and outside of school, PALs allows students to develop strong life skills along the way, in turn, helping them in their mission to help others.

“PALs has helped me grow as a better person,” Daniels said. “It has given me better communication skills with people I don’t know.”

PALs also has allowed students to create bonds,  build themselves and their character.

“The most important aspect of PALs is helping those around you and being the best you can be,” senior Nick Haverfield said.

All in all, PALs is more than just a leadership class. It allows students to expand beyond the traditional means of learning. Rather than learning while sitting in a classroom, PALs allows students to showcase the skills they have developed and reach out to people in the real world.

“It’s a really awesome experience because you make an impact on people who need help,” Mejia-Barrera said.