Phoenix students who attended the Sweet 2B Me conference were Francheska Sandoval (kneeling), Naitaly Napodano (left), Michael Cobb (middle) and Kate Pehkonen.
Four Phoenix Middle School students went to the Sweet 2B Me conference at Fort Atkinson Middle School last week Thursday, Oct. 6.
The conference drew participants from middle schools throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and was intended to help gifted and talented kids who can sometimes struggle with social issues, said Phoenix Counselor Steve Gross.
“Some academically talented kids struggle in social settings among their peers,” Gross said. “This conference helped them learn to be more assertive, deal with anxiety, how to make better friendships, advocate for themselves and be a leader. Sometimes kids who are identified or known as being gifted in one subject leads their classmates to believe they’re gifted in everything, and that can add pressure onto a student.
“This conference lets them identify different ways and tools where they can find support, and also identify staff and others who can support them.”
Gross said there was a kickoff session for all attendees, followed by three separate 5o-minute sessions on a variety of topics, from how to be more assertive, to making friends, to knowing ‘It’s OK to be me.’ Area teachers, counselors and administrators led the sessions.
Gross said the four Phoenix attendees — Francheska Sandoval, Michael Cobb, Kate Pehkonen and Naitaly Napodano — were fully engaged in the conference and commented often on the way back how much they enjoyed it.
“A lot of the kids who attended — not just our kid — felt like they were the only ones who felt this way,” Gross said. “So it was a great opportunity for them to be with others who shared similar stories or circumstances.”
