Our High School Hope Squad had training this week in the library and educated students!

Hope Squad is a youth suicide prevention program comprised of nearly 40 high school students.

Students who are selected to be in Hope Squad must have permission from their parents or guardians to undergo training with advisor Darrian Difatta, a teacher in the high school, to be aware of warning signs and to act when someone is struggling by referring them to an administrator, counselor or another mental health professional at Deer Lakes.

Hope Squad students aim to show empathy for their peers and to reduce the stigma of mental illness and seeking help. Hope Squad members include:

• Molly Albert
• Jordan Allshouse
• Jillian Bagley
• Lauren Balint
• Lucy Becker
• Emily Brockway
• Mary Cacurak
• Elliana Crame
• Grace Deremer
• Ariana Didomenico
• Claire Dischner
• Amelia Dunbar
• Abbey Evans
• Jocelyn Fleischer
• James Gall
• Mckenzie Galup
• Emma Gasbarro
• Berlyn Hansen
• Karcyn Hartman
• Jayella Kennedy
• Spencer Lohr
• Ava Mazur
• Rebekkah McSweeny
• Julia Miller
• Izabella O'toole
• Shayne Parks
• Macee Ruot
• Rylee Savinda
• Kristopher Schaaf
• Samantha Steele
• Emma Stritzinger
• Ella Thomas
• Mae Thomas
• Evelyn Vanderschaaf
• Ryan Weidenhoff
• Alyssa Williams
• Mya Wright