Gasparillo Secondary Tops Families In Action Peer Helpers Awards
Gasparillo Secondary School has been named the Most Outstanding School at the 2026 Families in Action Peer Helpers Awards.
The awards ceremony recognised students for projects that promoted safe spaces and peer support in schools.
Addressing the students, Minister of Education Dr Michael Dowlath commended their leadership, reminding them that supporting others begins with listening.
« The training, the process you would have gone through, will allow you to not just think more critically, but I want you to understand that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. You may be a top student in CAPE, in CSEC, but there’s no shame in asking for help. »
He also encouraged students to embrace empathy, critical thinking, and service, noting that peer helpers play an important role in strengthening school communities.
« You may not ever have the solutions, but what you help others do is this: for those of us who did a lot of research, you talk about baseline data, and in listening and in talking to someone, sometimes they don’t even know they need your help. You’re just being a good friend, you’re just being a good colleague, you help them to articulate where they are. »
Chief Executive Officer of Families in Action, Dionne Guischard, said every peer helper has the power to make a meaningful difference by creating environments where fellow students feel seen, heard, and supported.
« Because every one of you is a small light in your school and in your community. You may not always see how brightly you shine. But every time you create a safe space for one of your peers, you light the way for them. So peer helpers, today we celebrate you. We celebrate the light that you shine, the safe spaces you create, and all the times you’ve made your peers feel seen, heard, and even a little bit understood. »
Families in Action, which is celebrating 26 years of its Peer Helping Programme, says it will continue expanding the programme, empowering young people to build safer, more supportive schools while developing the next generation of compassionate leaders.
