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West Valley students expand peer-led Sources of Strength program as district adds counseling positions
Summary
West Valley High students and counselor Jasmine Nickel described rapid growth in the Sources of Strength peer program and cited local survey results showing widespread anxiety; district leaders noted investments in school counseling positions that support such programs.
Students and staff from West Valley High School presented the Sources of Strength (SOS) peer-leadership program to the Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board on May 5, describing growth from a small club into a schoolwide effort and sharing local data that show high rates of anxiety and depression among respondents.
Program details: Jasmine Nickel, a West Valley counselor with a decade in the district, said SOS uses a strength-based approach focused on connection to adults, mentors, healthy activities and other protective factors. Student leaders described activities including schoolwide kickoffs, "thank you" campaigns, peer training events and fundraisers. They said membership has grown to roughly 80 students and that SOS has expanded to multiple district schools.
Local data and evidence: Student-collected, anonymized survey data presented at the meeting showed 51% reporting prior depression and 60% reporting anxiety or worry that interfered with school focus among club respondents; student presenters and the counselor cited a 2025 CDC study they said showed SOS interventions reduce odds of suicide by about 29%.
District support: Dr. Miner said the district has funded additional counseling positions at middle and high schools to support prevention and intervention programs, calling the SOS work "life-saving" and praising student leadership. Board members asked how the program can be propagated to additional schools and how families can support upstream prevention.
What happens next: Student leaders requested community engagement and board support to expand training and coverage across the district. Dr. Miner said administration would pursue ways to scale SOS and thanked the board for restoring counseling staff in recent budget decisions.
