Mediator Appreciation Day at Fresno State

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Resolving conflicts can be a challenging task at any age. But for some elementary school students, it's part of their day at school. Thursday, the young peer mediators came together to celebrate their work.

Hundreds of elementary school students came full of spirit, filling Margie Wright diamond. The celebration marked a year of peace keeping on their school campuses.

Mediator Mentor Program Director Dr. Karen DeVoogd said, "One of the kids sitting out here might just be that one person that was in the right spot at the right time to hear an important conversation that had to happen, so they're doing heroes work."

Dr. Karen DeVoogd says the program allows kids to help other students in conflict. In light of the recent UC Santa Barbara tragedy, she says the helping kids connect at a young age and resolve problems, can make a difference.

"That's what these kids are all about is growing social, emotional development skills of empathy and listening and understanding feelings and it gives me hope that if we can get more people in our communities that have those skills, we have a better chance of not having those kinds of things happen so often," explained Dr. DeVoogd.

In the Valley, the program is helping students solve problems and prevent bullying and some have done it in a creative way. Their coordinator has seen a difference in the mediators as well.

"They're stepping up as leaders," said Lisa Nichols. "They work usually two days a week and they're learning some good skills. It's not just about building those relationships with their peers, but they're working as team players as well."

Gerardo Torres says he's helped others to be more understanding and fair.

"When a teacher tells them, they just keep on telling them, it's like a broken record," said Torres. "But when a student tells them, that's completely new."

This year marks the 12th year the Valley has come together for Mediator Appreciation Day. Organizers say it continues to get bigger and bigger each year.