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Will Huyck

Junior Owen Geier and sophomore Annabella Stratham rehearse a skit with their peers during the Natural Helpers training day.

Before the Natural Helpers training day, sophomore Ellery Deschamps said she did not know effective and positive ways to support her friends. Afterwards, Deschamps felt confident she could give advice to peers to peers seeking help.

The Natural Helpers club is a student run peer counseling organization that provides students with someone to talk to and trust with their problems, according to co-president Rand Phillips.

The Natural Helpers were excused from classes Feb. 12 in order to take part in the training day taught by school social worker Daniel Perez, according to adviser Allison Luskey.

Phillips said during the first half of training, club members simulated certain situations the Natural Helpers may come across while talking to students seeking help.

“The first half of the day consisted of training from Daniel Perez, one of the school’s social workers. He had us pretend we were students going through a rough time and then the peer counselors would have to react and respond to the situation,” Phillips said.

Phillips said the Natural Helpers were also given time during the training day to bond with other peer counselors.

“The training day was planned so we had the time to get to know the other peer counselors. We did funny skits and goofed off with other members in the club. We talked about our own issues with each other, which helped ensure a connection and deeper understanding between us,” Phillips said.

Sophomore peer counselor Ellery Deschamps said her favorite part of the training day was bonding with the members in the club.

“My favorite part of the training day was getting to know the other peer counselors. The games and activities helped create a bond between us. I think it is important that the Natural Helpers are close because we need to be able to rely on each other,” Deschamps said.

Luskey said the training day teaches students the importance of building relationships with the peers seeking help.

“The training day was important because a lot of times kids want to help but don’t know what to say. Providing the Natural Helpers with those tools and skills will help conversations and relationships dig deeper,” Luskey said.

The next Natural Helpers meeting takes place at 8 a.m. March 15 in room B11A.