The stories below are about real kids in the SAVE programs but the names and faces are changed.
Gloria was a middle school student with a huge personality and had a way of making you feel better just by offering her presence. She was a decent student and had relatively good attendance, but during SAVESNet meetings she got quickly offended by the slightest transgressions – even those unintended for her. During a meeting, Gloria had an enormous meltdown because she thought that another student was angry at her. It took quite a while for Gloria to express herself using “I messages.” She slowly began to listen to the student with whom she was having the altercation and moved towards a resolution. After months of feedback and support from her peers in the group, Gloria was able to do a better job expressing her emotions in a constructive way and deescalating her anger.
Antonio was a 14 year old freshman that had been labeled gifted and talented but worked well below his capabilities. Upon meeting him you realize that he lacked confidence and self-esteem. Seldom did he interact with other students. He cared little about his personal appearance and was unconcerned about handling his responsibilities as a student and SAVESNet member. After trying out and making the SAVESNet performance team, Antonio’s confidence grew, but his grades still suffered. The SAVESNet coordinator became a mentor that Antonio trusted and someone who consistently demanded more of him as a student and young man. Antonio became a committed SAVESNet member, his grades improved each grading period, teachers noticing his marked improvement. Antonio now interacts with many SAVESNet members daily, clearly feeling better about himself as a young man. He went on to win SAVESNet member of the Year, establishing himself as a future leader of SAVESNet and the school.
Mike was a middle school student who was very disruptive to the SAVESNet group. He would often leave in the middle of group without permission. He would bully other boys in the group and he and the girls in the group would “clash” daily. The SVESNEt Program Coordinator would meet with Mike privately and explain why his behavior was unacceptable. Mike would apologize and promise to behave during the next meeting. This pattern reoccurred until Mike was asked not to return to the group. During the course of time outside of the group, the other SAVESNet members were invited on a field trip. Mike asked the Coordinator if he could accompany the group on the field trip to which she replied that his inability or unwillingness to follow the rules would keep him from going on the trip but that she wanted him to return if he could behave and cooperate with his fellow SAVESNet members. By the end of the school year, Mike was a completely different student and SAVESNet member. When given responsibility, he handled tasks efficiently and pleasantly. He took great initiative in the group, accomplishing things that he sensed needed to be done. When the Coordinator saw him in the hallways between classes, he became quite animated and thrilled to share the happenings of his day. This was a complete turnaround from the child who barely spoke and never made eye contact unless he was menacing others.
Isaac was a very shy and quiet 6th grade student who turned red at the suggestion of being an actor in a conflict resolution-themed video for the SAVE Awards. He was no stranger to conflict. Not as tall as others his age, Isaac constantly fought with “short” jokes and felt that people were always judging him from the outside. Getting picked on at school and in his group was a normal experience for Isaac. Though he was not sure if he wanted anything to do with the SAVE Awards Youth Peacemakers Training Program, Isaac agreed to attend the Youth Peacemakers Training Day. The training is where Isaac learned the T.A.G. strategy and it gave him confidence to stand up for himself and tools to use in situations of conflict. Amazingly, the group advisor convinced Isaac that he would be awesome in the video performance and Isaac finally agreed to the role. Over the course of just five months, the entire group witnessed Isaac come to mature - from a quiet, timid, little boy to a strong, confident and outspoken young man. The quiet kid who used to be the target of insults after insults to the point of sadness and tears, had stopped letting his peers get the best of him and stood up for himself without fear. For every insult, it seemed Isaac had a positive remark to make that left his verbal attackers speechless. Isaac hopes that the video would help others who face problems learn that sometimes enemies can be made into friends. Isaac believed his SAVE Awards performance could help stop violence. He also wished his experience in the SAVE Awards never ended.
Sherri was a junior that has participated in SAVESNet for the past three years but has dealt with a family plagued by drug addiction most of her life. Sherri felt she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. Sherri had been taking care of her three younger siblings for several years by the time she reached ninth grade due to her mother’s drug addiction. The lack of stability at home showed with inconsistent grades, attendance and participation in SAVESNet. She wanted to be more involved in school activities and SAVESNet but trying to make sure food was in the house and homework was getting done, did not allow for these opportunities. Despite these obstacles, Sherri continued to come to SAVESNet and made friends she grew to trust. The Coordinator always let Sherri know when a resilience lesson was coming up or an inspirational speaker was on the calendar because she was always receptive to encouraging words. The Coordinator worked closely with the family to get Sherri to more activities. Although her grades are average with slightly improved attendance, they are better, and so is her spirit. Sherri is always thankful for the SAVESNet Coordinator’s support even though her struggles at home are not over.
Jacob was 11 and much taller and bigger than his classmates. He was very diligent about coming to the SAVESNet meetings, so the Coordinator got to know him very well. He was very loud and disruptive during meetings and because of this he was picked on a lot by other students. When he did not get his way he would lose his temper. After many lessons and discussions with the Coordinator and SAVESNet members about self discipline and respect, he began to make adjustments in his behavior. After several months he became one of the most improved students in the group. He proved that he was listening and applying the principles that he learned in SAVESNet. There were many times when he would say something inappropriate and he would quickly correct himself and say “that was rude wasn’t it” Then he would say” I apologize.” By the end of the school year he was very pleasant to be around.
New cell phone technology opened up a brand new world for Janae, an 8th grade student. She was able to text friends in and out of her school. It seemed to bridge a gap in Janae’s world, but also introduced her and other students at her school to and unwelcomed invitation to threats of fights from students in other schools. Texting only brought on drama for Janae as she and her friends got into deep trouble as insults and put-downs surged across the school. Word got around that anyone involved in the SAVE Awards Youth Peacemakers Training Program would not be able to participate if they were sending text threats. Janae had never been involved in the SAVE Awards, but decided to join the group instead of joining in with the wrong crowd. Her school’s SAVE Awards advisors talked about a project that would bring the students back together to focus on peace and Janae was excited about it. After a positive technical visit from the SAVE Awards Coordinator, Janae hyped up the group by shouting “I’m going to Hollywood!” , when she discovered their video idea would be accepted into the 2009 SAVE Awards. In addition to their video performance, Janae and her classmates held a mock “funeral” for put-downs, designed a school wall mural and created tactile posters that encouraged peace for their entire school to experience. Janae and her classmates also mentored younger students and led a Peace Celebration fully equipped with a steel drum player and a nonviolent skit performed by students. When asked about her experience with SAVE, Janae says that she believes SAVE helped her be a better person and realize that drama isn’t everything.
SAVE Student Success Stories
Gloria was a middle school student with a huge personality and had a way of making you feel better just by offering her presence. She was a decent student and had relatively good attendance, but during SAVESNet meetings she got quickly offended by the slightest transgressions – even those unintended for her. During a meeting, Gloria had an enormous meltdown because she thought that another student was angry at her. It took quite a while for Gloria to express herself using “I messages.” She slowly began to listen to the student with whom she was having the altercation and moved towards a resolution. After months of feedback and support from her peers in the group, Gloria was able to do a better job expressing her emotions in a constructive way and deescalating her anger.
Antonio was a 14 year old freshman that had been labeled gifted and talented but worked well below his capabilities. Upon meeting him you realize that he lacked confidence and self-esteem. Seldom did he interact with other students. He cared little about his personal appearance and was unconcerned about handling his responsibilities as a student and SAVESNet member. After trying out and making the SAVESNet performance team, Antonio’s confidence grew, but his grades still suffered. The SAVESNet coordinator became a mentor that Antonio trusted and someone who consistently demanded more of him as a student and young man. Antonio became a committed SAVESNet member, his grades improved each grading period, teachers noticing his marked improvement. Antonio now interacts with many SAVESNet members daily, clearly feeling better about himself as a young man. He went on to win SAVESNet member of the Year, establishing himself as a future leader of SAVESNet and the school. 
Mike was a middle school student who was very disruptive to the SAVESNet group. He would often leave in the middle of group without permission. He would bully other boys in the group and he and the girls in the group would “clash” daily. The SVESNEt Program Coordinator would meet with Mike privately and explain why his behavior was unacceptable. Mike would apologize and promise to behave during the next meeting. This pattern reoccurred until Mike was asked not to return to the group. During the course of time outside of the group, the other SAVESNet members were invited on a field trip. Mike asked the Coordinator if he could accompany the group on the field trip to which she replied that his inability or unwillingness to follow the rules would keep him from going on the trip but that she wanted him to return if he could behave and cooperate with his fellow SAVESNet members. By the end of the school year, Mike was a completely different student and SAVESNet member. When given responsibility, he handled tasks efficiently and pleasantly. He took great initiative in the group, accomplishing things that he sensed needed to be done. When the Coordinator saw him in the hallways between classes, he became quite animated and thrilled to share the happenings of his day. This was a complete turnaround from the child who barely spoke and never made eye contact unless he was menacing others.
Isaac was a very shy and quiet 6th grade student who turned red at the suggestion of being an actor in a conflict resolution-themed video for the SAVE Awards. He was no stranger to conflict. Not as tall as others his age, Isaac constantly fought with “short” jokes and felt that people were always judging him from the outside. Getting picked on at school and in his group was a normal experience for Isaac. Though he was not sure if he wanted anything to do with the SAVE Awards Youth Peacemakers Training Program, Isaac agreed to attend the Youth Peacemakers Training Day. The training is where Isaac learned the T.A.G. strategy and it gave him confidence to stand up for himself and tools to use in situations of conflict. Amazingly, the group advisor convinced Isaac that he would be awesome in the video performance and Isaac finally agreed to the role. Over the course of just five months, the entire group witnessed Isaac come to mature - from a quiet, timid, little boy to a strong, confident and outspoken young man. The quiet kid who used to be the target of insults after insults to the point of sadness and tears, had stopped letting his peers get the best of him and stood up for himself without fear. For every insult, it seemed Isaac had a positive remark to make that left his verbal attackers speechless. Isaac hopes that the video would help others who face problems learn that sometimes enemies can be made into friends. Isaac believed his SAVE Awards performance could help stop violence. He also wished his experience in the SAVE Awards never ended.
Sherri was a junior that has participated in SAVESNet for the past three years but has dealt with a family plagued by drug addiction most of her life. Sherri felt she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. Sherri had been taking care of her three younger siblings for several years by the time she reached ninth grade due to her mother’s drug addiction. The lack of stability at home showed with inconsistent grades, attendance and participation in SAVESNet. She wanted to be more involved in school activities and SAVESNet but trying to make sure food was in the house and homework was getting done, did not allow for these opportunities. Despite these obstacles, Sherri continued to come to SAVESNet and made friends she grew to trust. The Coordinator always let Sherri know when a resilience lesson was coming up or an inspirational speaker was on the calendar because she was always receptive to encouraging words. The Coordinator worked closely with the family to get Sherri to more activities. Although her grades are average with slightly improved attendance, they are better, and so is her spirit. Sherri is always thankful for the SAVESNet Coordinator’s support even though her struggles at home are not over. 
Jacob was 11 and much taller and bigger than his classmates. He was very diligent about coming to the SAVESNet meetings, so the Coordinator got to know him very well. He was very loud and disruptive during meetings and because of this he was picked on a lot by other students. When he did not get his way he would lose his temper. After many lessons and discussions with the Coordinator and SAVESNet members about self discipline and respect, he began to make adjustments in his behavior. After several months he became one of the most improved students in the group. He proved that he was listening and applying the principles that he learned in SAVESNet. There were many times when he would say something inappropriate and he would quickly correct himself and say “that was rude wasn’t it” Then he would say” I apologize.” By the end of the school year he was very pleasant to be around. 
New cell phone technology opened up a brand new world for Janae, an 8th grade student. She was able to text friends in and out of her school. It seemed to bridge a gap in Janae’s world, but also introduced her and other students at her school to and unwelcomed invitation to threats of fights from students in other schools. Texting only brought on drama for Janae as she and her friends got into deep trouble as insults and put-downs surged across the school. Word got around that anyone involved in the SAVE Awards Youth Peacemakers Training Program would not be able to participate if they were sending text threats. Janae had never been involved in the SAVE Awards, but decided to join the group instead of joining in with the wrong crowd. Her school’s SAVE Awards advisors talked about a project that would bring the students back together to focus on peace and Janae was excited about it. After a positive technical visit from the SAVE Awards Coordinator, Janae hyped up the group by shouting “I’m going to Hollywood!” , when she discovered their video idea would be accepted into the 2009 SAVE Awards. In addition to their video performance, Janae and her classmates held a mock “funeral” for put-downs, designed a school wall mural and created tactile posters that encouraged peace for their entire school to experience. Janae and her classmates also mentored younger students and led a Peace Celebration fully equipped with a steel drum player and a nonviolent skit performed by students. When asked about her experience with SAVE, Janae says that she believes SAVE helped her be a better person and realize that drama isn’t everything.