PALS applications opened on Feb. 6, and PALS members encourage students to scan the QR codes on posters around the school to join an organization that improves social skills and connects students to the community.
“I think you should join PALS if you want to help out with your community,” junior Kendra Rivera said. “It’s a really fun class, you get to know so many new people.”
PALS stands for Peer Assisted Leadership Service, and members participate in a variety of activities to connect with the community.
“We visit nursing homes once a month, we work with ALE kids once a month, we do fundraisers for organizations, and we do twelve hours every semester for the community,” senior Victoria Medrano said.
Joining PALS can have a marked influence on students’ confidence and communication abilities.
“PALS is very important to me because it helped me work with multiple groups that I probably wouldn’t have been able to work with,” Medrano said. “I’ve worked with a lot of old people and now I have better communication skills when it comes to people of older age…I’ve gotten more confidence when it comes to public speaking and talking to anyone, and being helpful to anyone who needs help,”
To some members, PALS is more than a way to improve their skills, it’s a way to find meaning and purpose.
“Honestly I love going. Every single time I go I feel so happy, because just seeing the smile that I put on the kid’s faces every time I show up, I just love it,” Rivera said.
PALS members view their organization as a role model and friend for other students and for the kids they work with.
“PALS are important to the school because we are seen as leaders, and because of all the service hours we do. Everyone sees the PALS T-shirt and everyone knows who we are and what we do,” Medrano said.
PALS can also be seen as a voice and a helping hand for people in need.
“I feel like it’s important to advocate for everyone who needs somebody,” Medrano said. “We’re just all kind, caring, people and I feel like that’s important to have here at Mac.”
