Students in Peer Assistance Leadership and Service (PALS) programs across North East ISD have had to get creative over the past year. While service projects may look a little different, the message remains the same. Just ask the PALS at Tejeda Middle School. The group just delivered 35 teddy bears to the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas.
“Since we aren’t able to do as many in-person service projects as normal, we wanted to do something that somehow represented our group or a member of our group,” said Desiree Kloza, Tejeda PALS sponsor. “One of my PALS lost her mom two years ago when she was in sixth grade and she went to the Children’s Bereavement Center for counseling. As we were tossing around service project ideas, she mentioned this and we knew that we had to help.”
Twenty-seven Tejeda PALS contributed to the collection that sent 35 teddy bears to children receiving counseling at the center. This act of service honored one of their own and Kloza says the tight-knit group is always thinking of each other. The PALS connection often lingers long after graduation.
“My favorite part of being involved with the PALS is the relationships that we develop and carry on well beyond middle school and even high school,” said Kloza. “We are a close-knit group, and I know they really appreciate being a part of it! I love teaching dance, but often, PALS is the best part of my day!”
