From Mentors to Friends: Establishing Connections with Middle School Advocates

Augur Field was buzzing with conversations and an array of games and activities for the first interactive activity day as 31 Upper School students took on their respective leadership roles as part of the Middle School Advocates Program. The longtime program cultivates and establishes connections between Middle and Upper School students.

The 2024-2025 Middle School Advocates include seniors Helena Chaine, Bryan Hong, Phillip Kim, Niko Millhouse, Smiley Ni, Frank Winters, and Jack Yu. Also participating are juniors Ilke Altindas, Kaelen Annes, Cole Christman, Caden Christopher, Raquel Figueroa-Crespo, Kaleb Fiore, Alma Goren-Eisenberg, Kiana Jin, Chloe Kissane, Tobias Liu, Mae McDonnell, Miley Natale, Bryann O’Tinger, Matthew Porter, Barbara Ramirez-Moreno, Max Rickey, Emily Savik, Julia Scalmani, Jack Shi, Shalani Singh, Sophia Vash, Leni Vujovic, Lydia White, and Andrew Yang.

"I choose to be a Middle School Advocate because these are the most important years where the students begin to shape who they are,” said senior Frank Winters. “For me, it’s all about offering guidance, encouragement, and having a listening ear. This is a huge opportunity to be a positive role model in their lives helping them navigate challenges."

The Middle School Advocates Program brings together a group of juniors and seniors who are chosen to work with and serve as mentors and role models to the Middle School community. It was started in 1995 by former faculty members Sally Mixsell and Anne Richardson. It has long-served as a mentorship opportunity for Upper School students to bond and form connections with Middle School students. The program is currently under the advisement of Middle School Director Brian Christman and faculty members David Sokoloff and Paulomi Aldo.

The advocates are chosen through an extensive application and interview process. Throughout the year, the advocates meet with their designated group to facilitate discussions and activities addressing challenges of adolescence and other issues of importance to middle schoolers. Additionally, they help with tutoring and proctoring study halls, serve as campus tour volunteers, offer speech writing workshops, and coordinate events such as the Middle School Olympics, Advocate Activity Day, the Eighth-Grade Celebration, assemblies, and more. 

This year’s Advocate Activity Day consisted of games including name and picture association, marble racing, to name a few.