The Peer Leaders program is a school tradition that helps integrate new students into our community. Peer leaders help new students, from incoming seventh graders to new high schoolers. 

On campus, Campus Ministry helps organize and plan what the peer leaders will do for the coming year. Campus Minister Maureen Pasteris shares why she decided to help lead Marist Peer Leaders. “For me, the heart of the program is about doing the work of Mary as servant leaders in her community,” Pasteris said.

Additionally, peer leaders organize events during the summer with bigger groups in order to introduce new students to each other. This year,  juniors and seniors served as peer leaders. During the summer, they collaborated for group gatherings, popsicle parties, and back-to-school events.

Student Reese Sullivan expressed why she chose to become a Peer Leader. “I chose to become a Peer Leader because I have always enjoyed finding various ways to get involved in my community,” Reese said.

A common attribute of being a peer leader is the calling to serve others and lead the community. Peer leaders emulate what the Marist core values are all about.

Student Ryan Akin expressed his gratitude for his past peer leader and how that experience still influences him today. “I absolutely loved my peer leader, and I really wanted to try to have that relationship with my peer kids,” Akin said.

Overall, the Peer Leading Program has provided the student body with a sense of belonging. Current students serving as peer leaders creates a welcoming environment and community for new students.

The Peer Leader Program was started in 1986 by Mrs. Claire Walls to help integrate new students. It has been apart of the our school community for decades.

Both Academic Center Instructor Katherine Carroll and Theology Teacher Erin Paul were peer leaders when they were Marist students.