By Laura Newberry, Photo: Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, December 20, 2021
Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning, 18-year-old Kelly Zamudio grabs her clipboard from the wellness center at Garey High School in Pomona and with a fellow peer counselor — they work in pairs — sets out to meet the first student on her list.
The three sit in the quad or lunch area, empty of teens when class is in session. They have about 15 minutes together, so they waste no time. “How are you doing this week?” Zamudio will ask. The student might start talking about a recent breakup or power struggles with their parents, or not being able to concentrate in class. Zamudio listens intently — the most vital part of her role — and with the other counselor helps the student come up with an action plan.
“They don’t know who I am, they don’t know anything about me, but the fact that they can confide in me and be vulnerable with me takes some weight off their shoulders,” said Zamudio, one of 50 peer counselors at the school of 1,700.
Comments (1)