Wayland High School celebrated the 25th anniversary of the PALs program in Allegan County by attending the annual PALs Conference Thursday at Camp Beechpoint in Allegan.

PALs, or Peer Assisted Listeners, from Allegan, Hopkins, Plainwell and Wayland High Schools attended the youth led conference. Also in attendance were staff from Allegan County Community Mental Health, school superintendents, and principals. Two students from each school work on a committee to plan the event with the professionals from ACCMH, the sponsors of the PAL Program. The theme this year was “Make Your Mark.”

During the conference students attended three breakout sessions and had the opportunity to demonstrate leadership through experiential learning with the keynote speaker’s opening, Fun Factor.  Students were energized with empowering messages reinforcing the concept and skills taught to them in their PALs training.

“The PALs program is of great value to all students in Wayland,” a spokesperson said. “While it is one of the highest honors you can receive by being selected to be in the PALs program (done through peer nominations, application and interviews), it is a privilege and it comes with great responsibility. Every PAL must go through two trimesters of rigorous training in all aspects of social life today.

“Each PAL has the duty of being a leader in our schools, making a better learning environment for everyone, and helping any student when problems may arise. While each PAL has a big responsibility in school, they are also expected to be leaders out of school as well. They are expected to be a positive role model, contribute to their community, and lead a healthy life-style, which includes being drug and alcohol free. PALs at Wayland High take PRIDE in everything that they do, and help make a culture of caring. ”

The PALs advisors are Andrea Brown, WUHS and Nikki Barth, ACCMH.

PHOTO: (Standing,  from left) Camilyn Huyck, Jon Seymour, Cody Eister, Codey Clewell, Macey Winger, Perry Carter, Ali Martus, Madelyn Gray, Olivia Fox, Hanna Moulenbelt, Taryn Coughlin, Lynssey Hooker,
(kneeling) Emily Staple, Ally Maynard, Jenae Mutschler, Lexa Benn, Abigail Breese, Cait Bronson, Olivia Myers, Rebeca Yanes, Ashlyn Schafer, Ali Cutler, (sitting) Brinley Niewenhuis, Mackenzy Kasper, Erin Shelest, Hannah Wykoski, Voyce Veldman, Sierra LaFountain, Chanlyn Commons, Sydney Ritz, Nora Wagner, (front) Riley Shepard, Josiah Buggs. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Zywiczynski)