Among the many changes and additions on campus this year, is the inaugural year of the Peer Assistance and Leadership (PALS) program.

“Students at a high school campus, in a normal year, would go in-person to visit middle schools and elementary schools,” PALS sponsor David Barr said. “They would be paired up with students who just kinda need some extra help, whether that’s in the classroom, or just their overall well-being, and our students just help them out and talk to them, play games, help them with classroom if they need it, and all around just be a buddy for twenty, thirty minutes.”

From personal experience, Barr appreciates the impact of the program. 

“I did PALS as a student at Allen High School. They have a really strong program, and it has been really awesome for their community,” Barr said. “It’s good for getting kids excited to come to our campus, hopefully excited to maybe be a PAL, be a mentor to someone else who needs help down the line, and it’s a great way for our students to work on their leadership and mentor skills.”

PALS member senior Inaya Sheik looks forward to transforming the school’s environment. 

“I joined PALS because I thought it would be a great way to get more involved in school activities and just help Liberty become a better community,” Sheik said. “I’m hoping to gain more leadership skills from PALS, and also just meeting new people and building connections.”

Sheik understands the impact a supportive community can have. 

“This year I really hope PALS  is able to be there for new students, and incoming freshmen,” Sheik said. “I moved from New Jersey my freshman year of high school, and I know how hard it is to come to a new school and not know what to expect. So I hope I was able to create a really strong connection with new students.”

As the first members in the school’s PALS, junior Saba Mah hopes to set the tone for the program. 

“I hope it makes a lasting impact,” Mah said “That more people want to join and that it really sticks up to its purpose, and helps other kids and really gives a mentorship idea in the school.”

According to Barr, students in the program are working diligently as they begin their first year. 

“The kids we have in our class this year are amazing role models, they’re amazing students,” Barr said. “They already are hard at work, working on getting the name, the Frisco Liberty PALS program out there. We’re working on an Instagram page, so be looking out for that, and be looking out for if you have a question in one of your classes or about a teacher, our PALS would love to help out with that.”