KMC has given the directors award in the past few years to those who helped to influence and educate mediators in our community. After much deliberation, the board decided to highlight peer mediators.
KMC is about promoting peaceful conflict resolution to students, so we wanted to hi-light a peer mediator who has had a positive effect on her school and community. That young lady is Sarai Benitez – Sarai first became involved with Peer Mediation her junior year of High School, after she had gone through traumatic bullying. In her first year, she mediated over 50 students with her fellow mediators, earning her new problem solving skills, and deepening her compassion. Wanting to help more, Sarai began to take on more referrals, including from people who felt they had a conflict with themselves. She found that students felt much more safe and comfortable speaking to a peer about their emotions instead of a staff member. By the time she graduated high school, Sarai felt Peer Mediation completely changed her life. Sarai is now pursuing a career in Music Therapy at California State University, Northridge this fall.
