“Buddy”

“Life is all about connections and relationships. Healthy ones let us feel great about ourselves and help inspire us.” – MNMS student

Exploring healthy relationships

Building and maintaining healthy relationships is an important part of life at all ages, but especially among youth and adolescents.  Studies have shown that a sense of belonging with both peers and family members is a strong protective factor which can decrease the likelihood of potentially harmful behaviors such as substance abuse, dropping out of school, and dangerous or violent behaviors.

Working together to build a Stomper

Through a specially designed curriculum and with the help of expert speakers, students participated in discussions and activities focused on the elements of healthy relationships with friends, family and even oneself.  The students also learned about what we can do about bullying, the importance of respect, and positive ways to communicate.

Mount Nittany Middle School participants named this Stomper, “Buddy,” reflecting the importance of being there for one another.

Our discussions:

Relationships by Claire, MNMS Student

Relationships.

I’ve been in and out of them.​
A healthy relationship is something where you don’t need to be scared of the other person.
A healthy relationship is something where you don’t feel victimized or uncomfortable around them.
A healthy relationship should make you feel like you are the most important thing to someone for the period of time that they’re with you.
A healthy relationship is something that should make you happy.
But – a healthy relationship IS NOT a relationship where everything is perfect.
In fact, a “perfect” relationship is probably the most unhealthy of them all.
If you don’t argue or don’t disagree on anything, then it means that you’re hiding something from the other person, which can result in a terrible ending to what you once had.
If you let everything boil up inside you: everything you wanted to say, but didn’t want to start an argument, just remember the place that’s holding all those feelings isn’t going to hold it all.
One day, everything – everything that you had bottled up is going to explode.
Things are going to come out that you never thought you would say to them before.
It’ll change everything.
Remember that perfect relationships aren’t perfect at all

Relationships.

I’ve been in and out of them.
Healthy relationships are something that shouldn’t always be positive.
The two people in one don’t have to be the same.
Difference is crucial.
Just imagine, two best friends, both on competitive sports teams.
This sport they play is the biggest part of their life, really.
This sport is so important to them, and both of them will want to be the best.
They would hate to be outshone by anyone – let alone someone so close to them, right?
This causes tension.
This causes anger.
This causes a need to beat them, let alone how much they mean to you.
That’s not healthy, is it?
Difference is crucial.
Difference is a test.
Would you be able to embrace somebody’s differences?
Would you be supportive of what they do, even if you wouldn’t ever do something like it?
Could you accept the fact that they don’t like what you love?
The ability to cope with the fact that someone is different than you are is as crucial as the differences themselves.
Remember that before you try to change to get someone to like you.

People set traps.

Don’t let yourself fall into one.

Buddy, our Mount Nittany Middle School Stomper was made possible through the generous support of State College Area School District, Mount Nittany Middle School, and our partners.

Our Artists: Chris Bittner, Mel Forkner Lesher, Marisa Vicere, Nancy Vicere

Curriculum Development: Marisa Vicere

Mount Nittany Middle School Counselors: Linda Brown, Robert Fox, Doug Romig

Our Partners: Pam Monk, Playwright and Journalist; Dr. Peter Montminy, Psychologist; Carol Lindsey, Drum Circle Leader; Amelia McGinnis, LCSW; Mary Edwin, Former School Counselor; Kevin Duquette, Former School Counselor; Ali Turley, Youth Service Bureau; Rhonda Stern, Art Therapist; Vicki Giulian, LSW; Dr. Rachel Love, Psychologist