Role Models: Seniors & Middle Schoolers Discuss the Challenges of Adolescence

Last Wednesday, a group of senior girls from Mrs. Schorr’s davening group partnered with the 7th and 8th grade girls to participate in a lunchtime mentorship program. In small groups, the girls spoke candidly about contemporary adolescent issues, such as cyberbullying, gossip, identity, and cliques.

“The 8th graders were asked to be the 7th graders’ mentors because each grade has had its share of problems in the past,” one 8th grade girl articulated in her discussion group.

High School faculty members including Mrs. Jean Ginsberg, the Director of Guidance in the College Guidance Department, also attended the session and explained that the program aimed to prepare the Middle Schoolers for their upcoming High School transition.

“Middle school is a time when you struggle to figure out who you are without wanting to seem weird or different,” explained Jen R. ’14 to the room. “But in high school, you have so much more independence and you start to develop into someone different than you were in middle school. I think that’s true for almost everyone.”

“You have to learn how to be less sensitive to what other people might say,” Morgan M. ’14 commented. “You also have to learn to rise above what people may think. You will have drama in high school, but it’s all about attitude.”

At the end of the hour, almost every Middle School girl agreed that they gained new insights and perspectives from the session, and hoped to meet with the senior girls again in the near future.

“I’d like to meet with them again without adults in the room,” added Michelle S. ’14. “I think a lot of them were hesitant to speak in front of teachers. It’d be interesting to hear what they have to say uncensored.”