Poway High Receives Unity in Action Award for Peer Counseling Program

The San Diego Regional Hate Crimes Coalition has recognized Poway High School's Peer Counseling Program with the 2013 Unity in Action Award for its positive impact on the campus over 25 years promoting unity, diversity and acceptance.

"We are extremely impressed with the three local school programs from Poway High, San Elijo Middle and Grossmont Union High School district," Deputy District Attorney Oscar Garcia, who is the chairman of the coalition, said in a statement.

“All three of these programs embrace the mission of the Hate Crimes Coalition, which is to promote the appreciation of diversity and the prevention of bias motivated behavior,” Garcia said. “The students involved in these wonderful programs are to be commended by our community for the pro-active roles they play for the betterment of our community. We are proud to honor them with this award.”

More than 90 students participate in Poway High's program, which includes counseling,  acts of kindness, violence prevention, anti-bullying efforts and community service.

“The 90 peer counselors are all high-achieving students who do a lot for the PHS community and Poway community,” Traci Barker-Ball, Poway High's Student Services Coordinator and advisor to the Peer Counseling Program, said in a statement. “Not only do they all do a minimum of 15 hours of community service per semester, but many of them go above and beyond that minimum requirement.  

"Most of the [peer counselors] are involved in other activities on campus such as sports, drama, choir, band, robotics and clubs. To have them recognized for their hard work and peace efforts means a lot to them and to me as their supervisor and school mom.”

Chris Saunders, the coalition's vice chair, presented Poway High senior Julia Nordstrom, one of the peer counselors, with the award at school on May 30.