Cedar Grove Students Learn How to be Heroes

Cedar Grove High School peer leaders are learning the ropes of being positive role models through a statewide mentor program that aims to give them the skills to help set district middle school students down the right path.

The program, "Heroes and Cool Kids", pairs high school students in good academic standing who have an eagerness to be positive role models with professional athletes and other role models at Bergen Community College in Paramus for a series of training sessions. The students then take their newly-polished mentoring skills to Cedar Grove middle schools for a series of three visits with fifth- and sixth Grade students.

The first visit to Memorial Middle School, which was held on Dec. 8, was dedicated to getting the younger students acquainted with their high school mentors and dispelling myths and fears about high school.

The second visit, scheduled for February, will be geared towards bullying prevention and conflict resolution. The third visit will be about making positive lifestyle choices, highlighting drug, alcohol and tobacco use prevention.

Cedar Grove High School Principal Michael Fetherman said Wednesday that students participating in the program find it "such a thrill" working with the younger kids, and said he sees the program as another way to expand to the school's existing anti-bullying/zero tolerance message.

"This program can be a real difference-maker and we are grateful to the Municipal Alliance for making it possible to bring this program to our school district," he said.

Richard Mangili, Principal of Memorial Middle School, said the high school students at the Dec. 8 visit did some icebreaker activities to introduce themselves to the younger students.

"It went great. It was nice to see the high school students providing the middle school students with some of their life experiences as well as some advice. The students were pleased and are looking forward to seeing their mentors in February."

The program is sponsored by the Cedar Grove Municipal Alliance, and is helmed by Christine Internicola, the high school's Student Assistance Counselor.

For additional information about the program, visit their website.