Eli Argo, Los Alamos Teen Center Director, shares his observations on teen behavior with the Leadership Los Alamos class. Photo by Kateri Morris
Lane Metcalf and Maren Dixon, 6th grade students from Mountain Elementary School, share about the Peer-to-Peer Relationship Club’s initiatives at their school. Joined by their sponsor & 6th grade teacher, Mary Alice Hawkins. Photo by Kateri Morris
LLA class members participate in round table discussions with community youth leaders. Photo by Kateri Morris
BY KATERI MORRIS
Leadership Los Alamos
On January 12, Leadership Los Alamos met at the Los Alamos Youth Center to engage in discussions about the needs of the youth in the community, the programs available, and various initiatives underway. Session chairs Eli Argo, LA Teen Center Director; Crystal Hollon, LA Teen Center Assistant Director; Kristine Coblentz, LAPS Prevention Support Specialist; and George Marsden, Family YMCA Operations Director presented line up of activities for the day.
The session began with a special presentation by Mental Health Therapist Jamie Thordsen Monroy Los Alamos Family Council. She shared about the current state of youth mental health, the stages of psychological development from infancy to adulthood, tips for increasing connection with teens, stressing the importance of communication, and creating a sense of belonging with the youth.
Eli Argo, LA Teen Center Director shared his observations on teen behavior and thoughts on how adults can positively respond to them through listening and being attentive to their needs.
Mountain Elementary School 6th grade teacher Mary Alice Hawkins, and Kristin Coblentz, LAPS Prevention Support Specialist, presented the initiatives taking place in the schools that encourages students to initiate connectivity through activities that will improve student relationships with their peers through the “Making Caring Common Project.” Joining the presenters were Maren Dixon and Lane Metcalf from Mountain Elementary School, 6th grade students and members of the Peer-to-Peer Relationship Club. They enthusiastically shared about their efforts in conducting a school survey and asking peers to share their stories in efforts to gain an understanding of how well they are doing with their sense of belonging and support from peer relationships. There are 17 student volunteers in the Peer-to-Peer Relationship club, who collectively make the commitment to extend their friendship by reaching out to students who may need acknowledgement and encouragement at school.
After lunch, the LLA class had the opportunity to meet with community youth leaders in round table discussions. Topics included how their own programs foster connection and belonging among the youth; what challenges they see in the community; the resources they offer; and what support they may need from the members of LLA and their respective organizations.
LLA gives a special thanks to the round table hosts:
• Eli Argo, Director, Los Alamos Teen Center
• Rachel Mohr-Richards, Executive Director, JJAB
• Dianna Reichelt, Resource Specialist & Restorative Justice Program Manager, JJAB
• Ryan Gilbert, Youth Leader, Young Life
• Nicole Ferry, Pastor, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
• Tammy Clancy, Child Development Director, Family YMCA
• Baily Martinez, Program Director, Youth Activity Centers
• Amber Rushton, Family Resource Center Aide, FSN
• Ashley Sullivan, Assistant Child Development Director, Family YMCA
• Melissa Mackey, Youth Services Director, Mesa Public Library
• Juanita McNiel, Court Administrator, Los Alamos Municipal Court
• Elizabeth Allen, Judge, Los Alamos Municipal Court
• Abbie Nelson, Development Specialist, Las Cumbres
• Ellen Specter, Executive Director, First Born Program
The class wrapped up the day with interacting with the teens who arrived at the Teen Center after school by participating in a choice of drawing/painting, playing video games, or a tea party.
Leadership Los Alamos is a non-profit organization whose mission is to identify current and emerging leaders in Los Alamos and surrounding communities, to enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the community. Each class learns about a variety of topics like community organizations, cultural and history, youth, education, local government, economic development, and environmental issues. For more information go to: Leadership Los Alamos – An educational organization dedicated to the future of Los Alamos
Video game time with local teens at the Teen Center. Photo by Kateri Morris
LLA class members get creative during their art time with the local teens at the Teen Center. Photo by Kateri Morris