By Brooke Braman

Some who walk the halls at LHS are not only students, but also doctors. Not medical doctors, however, but love doctors.

Love Docs is a peer education program that has existed at LHS since 2011 and is sponsored by Diane Ash, the school’s prevention specialist. It aims to inform and advise local middle school students about high school relationships through presentations given by a traveling panel of students and Ash.

“I kick off the discussion by asking the panel various questions about relationships, everything from their opinion about students who engage in PDA in the hallways to the advantages of being single versus involved in a relationship to the impact of social media on relationships to handling suicidal threats by a partner to dating violence,” said Ash, as she described a typical Love Docs outing.

Though Ash moderates the discussion, Love Docs events rely solely on the input of the students on the panel.

“[We] answer questions about what high school is like, both being in and out of a relationship. We talk about the pros and cons of being single and being in a relationships,” senior Kavyn Poettker said.

In addition to answering questions, students involved in Love Docs share personal experiences and give advice. Love Doc panels are composed of students representing many different opinions and perspectives.

“These programs benefit the middle school students because they get to hear many different points of view,” senior Love Doc Josie Myers said. “Once they get to high school, a lot of people will stereotype themselves. These programs help students get a feel for what high school is like beforehand, so they don’t have to feel like they need to corner themselves into one spot.”

In addition to showcasing different mind sets and viewpoints while reaching out to students, Love Docs is an effective program because it is based on peer education.

“Peer education programs address issues identified by high school students as problematic when they were younger and about which they wish they could have heard opinions and advice from people closer to their own age,” said Ash, a proponent of peer education. “Personally, I believe that young people already have acquired a good deal of wisdom and experience that is helpful in solving life’s problems in healthy ways.”

Students also see the importance of peer education programs.

“I thought it was really important to let people know that being themselves is a good thing that high school is a great place,” junior Love Doc Andy Dominguez said. “It’s nothing to be scared of. That’s why I got involved.”

“I’ve gone to some panels where the eighth-graders are zoning out or using their phones, but then we say something that really gets their attention,” Poettker said. “They put their phones down and really engage. Their body languages totally changes. They are totally tuned in.”

In fact, for Poettker, this successful style of mentorship served as inspiration for her future participation.

“When I was in middle school, one of the panels came to one of my classes,” Poettker said.  “Ever since then I’ve wanted to be a part of it. I joined sophomore year and have done it every year since.”

Like all peer education programs, Love Docs grew out of the FYI Club, which Ash also sponsors.

“FYI Club is all about connecting people with resources that can help them live a less-stressed and healthier life,” Ash said.

An active club, FYI members created a new peer education program just last year. The new program, entitled REAL, advocates self-confidence and positive body image.

“REAL is a program that promotes self body image and self esteem. It’s an all-around great panel that tries to boost self confidence and let everyone know it’s OK to be you and to be real,” said Dominguez, a member of the REAL and Love Docs panels.

Current members of the FYI Club and peer education programs encourage fellow students to get involved.

“It’s a great way to meet new people,” Dominguez said. “Its brings smiles to everyone’s faces.”