The Peer Mediation program at Glenbrook South has returned for its fifth year. However, the program has not been providing the usual amount of mediations compared to previous years. It has completed 17 mediations this year, a little more than half of the usual 30 mediations per year.

The trained sophomores, juniors, and seniors who participate in the program listen to what disputing students have to say and then come to a reasonable conclusion.

Senior Dan Berkowitz said, “We try to help resolve conflicts between students in a peaceful way.”

It is a multi-step process starting with the students getting recommended by faculty, staff, administration, parents, or even the students themselves. They can get recommendations for many different types of topics.

Senior Courtney Robberson said, “There is a wide variety of problems like romantic interests, friends who feel like they have been backstabbed, fist fights, name-calling, and even something like ‘he gave me a weird look.’”

Once the mediation is set, each of the student tells his or her own story. Then common ground is found, options are suggested and evaluated, and finally an agreement is settled.

Senior Lindsey Engle said, “We find out what both kids want out of it, and if they still want to be friends. After about two weeks we see how the two are working out.”
Many students believe it is important for a school to have a program like this.

Senior Ronnie Hwang said, “It’s important to have a club to be helpful and clear up gossip and rumors, and it’s a good way to settle disputes.”

The sponsors of Peer Mediation are guidance counselors Erika Pedersen and Christina Pak. They believe that it is valuable for students to understand the process.

Pedersen and Pak agreed that “it is more likely that students’ conflicts will be resolved if they take an active role in finding solutions with the help of their trained peers.”

Robberson said, “We have had a lot less mediations to do this year, but I am happy to see that there are less fights that we need to solve.”

In recent weeks, there has been a resurgence of requested mediations, and the mediation staff is extremely grateful and hopeful the trend will continue.

Jon Lee, staff reporter