Livonia high school students describe peer-mentoring programs to school board

Students and staff from Livonia Public Schools’ three high schools presented peer‑mentoring programs to the school board on Oct. 20, describing orientation activities, ongoing events and new academic supports aimed at helping freshmen acclimate to high school.

The presentations featured representatives from Churchill, Franklin and Stevenson high schools and were introduced by Missus Jenkins, director of student programs. "We are striving to highlight students and programs at each and every regular board meeting," Jenkins said, adding the district emphasizes helping students feel they "are an important part of their school community."

Churchill High School students described Charger Connect, a program that pairs upperclassmen mentors with incoming freshmen for tours, team‑building and follow‑up meetings. Katie Ulmer, a Churchill senior and mentor, said the program now runs four meetings per year and uses leadership activities to help freshmen "get acclimated and to get to know a lot of upperclassmen who were able to help me and answer questions." Another Churchill student, Joshua Kemp Robrecht, described development of math and writing centers staffed in part by National Honor Society tutors; he said the school expects the renovated library space to house dedicated math and writing centers starting after the Nov. 4 library renovation.

Franklin High School staff and student leaders described Patriots Relate, a program that expanded mentor numbers from 38 to 116 this year so mentors could work in pairs with smaller groups of freshmen. Amy Hoke, Franklin staff and program lead, said the team introduced goal‑setting sheets at orientation so mentors and freshmen can check progress after the first marking period. Senior Natalie Morton described a freshman tailgate that draws students to early home games and provides a social check‑in point.

At Stevenson High School, staff and students described Link Crew, which enrolled 96 leaders to support 493 freshmen. Whitney Osborne, a Link Crew advisor, said staff solicited teacher recommendations in the spring and ran a May orientation for leaders. Senior Antonio Aziz, a student leader, said Link Crew runs brief "Spartan time" meetings for groups of about 70 freshmen and touches on topics such as bullying prevention, academics and career exploration.

Board members and building principals praised the programs for building belonging and leadership. "The common thread I heard over and over was belonging," said Trustee Burton, adding that the programs also develop "soft skills that you're going to carry on well beyond your time in Livonia schools," a point echoed by Trustee McFarland.

Superintendent Oak West and the three high school principals — Kristen Quesada (Churchill), Andrew Pacey (Franklin) and Pete Mazzoni (Stevenson) — acknowledged the programs are student driven and noted they connect freshmen to school activities and peer supports. "This is really student driven," Mazzoni said, praising staff willingness to accommodate student initiatives.

The board did not take formal action on the presentations; students and staff left after their segment concluded. Board members encouraged continued sharing of program outcomes at future meetings and thanked students for their presentations.