WIESBADEN, Germany - Lee Carter is no stranger to new beginnings, new schools and new friends.
The Wiesbaden High School teacher and Student to Student leader was once a military child herself and experienced many of the unique transitions her students face today.
"We moved a lot," said Carter, "so I know how scary it can be for students."
The high school's Student to Student sponsorship program was designed to familiarize new students with their new environment and to ease the transition process.
"We have 25 core kids who are highly involved from registration," said Carter as she described how understanding her students are when it comes to making the Wiesbaden community feel like home to newcomers. "The kind of empathy they show, you can't teach that."
Students from military and civilian families stationed overseas take on a difficult transition during big moves -- a move that can take place mid-school year and even during a student's senior year, Carter pointed out.
Undra Robinson, guidance counselor at Wiesbaden High, said that initial contact is key in helping students make a smooth transition.
"New students need to quickly experience a friendly, inviting environment," something Robinson said is exactly what new students are getting from the S2S program.
Youth sponsorship is not unique to Wiesbaden. School liaison officers all around the world support the youth sponsorship process. The goal is to provide a youth sponsor upon request to every military connect youth in transition, officials said.
For details on becoming a youth sponsor (students in grades six to 11), to request a youth sponsor or for more information on the youth sponsorship program contact the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden School Liaison Office at civ (0611) 143-548-9305. (Miranda Moorer, an Air Force veteran, is a volunteer with the garrison's School Liaison Office.)
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