THE WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Peer Leader Program encourages students and their peers to make schools and their communities a more inclusive place.
MELROSE — In July, the Melrose High School World of Difference Peer Leaders led two one-hour sessions titled Building Bridges Across Differences at the Essex District Attorney’s summer camp.
The 10 MHS students presented in teams, and explored identity and biases with over 400 rising 5th grade students from Essex County cities and towns (including Saugus, Lynnfield, Danvers and more).
The World of Difference Peer Leader Program encourages students and their peers to make schools and their communities a more inclusive place. Currently, you can find certified Peer Leaders in Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School and in Melrose High School.
The students were trained by professionals from the Anti-Defamation League in subjects such as bias, stereotypes, identity, and many others. From there, the Peer Leaders of Melrose have guided many conversations around these topics and others. The peer leadership program started at MVMMS in 2016, and was expanded to MHS in the 2023-24 school year.
Peer Leaders from MVMMS have expanded the program to include a club at Melrose High School so that more students would have the opportunity to experience activities and discussions about building inclusive communities.
The group is looking to expand their program to people who want to make a difference, just like them.
Interested MHS students can reach out to club leaders Jenna Allwood, Audrey Davies, Leila Flank Contin, Eileen Garland, Maggie Shoemaker and Kailyn Vongsa for more information.
