Massapequa High Schoolers Show Berner Sixth Graders The Ropes

MASSAPEQUA, NY. — Massapequa sixth graders got some advice on middle school from students that have been there firsthand last week, as student council members from Massapequa High School visited the younger students to present on how to navigate the challenges of life at school.

The presentations took place Thursday and Friday, Dec. 18 and 19, during MS 101 classes. High schoolers covered a range of topics, with freshmen presenting on time management, sophomores covering anti-bullying content, juniors speaking on resisting peer pressure and seniors covering the importance of community involvement through things like clubs, community service and sports.

“A majority of my memories in high school are from being involved,” senior Dan
Walsh said. Walsh is part of student government and a member of the football, wrestling and
lacrosse teams.

According to seniors, the goal was to help grow the “next generation” of students in Massapequa.

“We feel so connected to the high school because of all of these opportunities we
Have,” senior Tatum Brennan said. “We genuinely want them to have the same experiences
we had.”

In the eyes of Massapequa district executives, the presentations were a smashing success.

“It seemed clear that all students benefitted from the experience,” Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Brian Trapani said. “The high school student
council enjoyed speaking to the sixth graders about these important topics and practiced
the important skill of public speaking to engage others. The sixth graders enthusiastically
shared questions and comments with the high school students as they learned the value of
time management, how important it is to avoid peer pressure and bullying, and how they
can get involved in all the middle school and high school has to offer.”

At the end of each session, high schoolers answered questions that middle schoolers had written down beforehand.