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Wylie East and Wylie High Offer Guiding Lights with Beacon Of Hope Program

  • News
Wylie East and Wylie High Offer Guiding Lights with Beacon Of Hope Program

It’s impossible to miss the blue “Beacon of Hope” lighthouses scattered throughout both high schools.

If a student is feeling overwhelmed and needs someone to talk to, they won’t have to look far to find a caring adult ready to help.

The Beacon of Hope program identifies staff members who are willing to listen when students are in need of a trusted adult.

“The Beacons of Hope offer support, a listening ear, and help students find additional help if needed,” said April Miller, Student Support Advocate at Wylie High School.

These educators have special training to offer essential support and understanding, ensuring that students feel safe and heard while navigating mental health challenges.

“All staff with this designation have been trained on personal boundaries, professional boundaries, and what signs and symptoms they may need to watch out for in the students who may reach out to them so they can help in the best way possible,” Paula Wallace, WHS Family/Consumer Science teacher, said.

Teacher at her desk
Beacon of Hope Image

“It is hard to approach a stranger, but if they see that one of their teachers, or a staff member they are familiar with, has identified themselves as a trusted adult, they might be more willing to talk about concerns they have for themselves or a friend,” Miller said.

The Beacon of Hope initiative is from Erika’s Lighthouse, a national organization that provides school-based mental health resources, training and programming.

Wylie East High School Spanish teacher Sebastian Varbaro volunteered to be a beacon because of his commitment to supporting others.

“Being a beacon means providing guidance and hope when it’s needed most and helping individuals navigate their difficulties with empathy and understanding,” Varbaro said. “It’s about making a meaningful difference and fostering a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.”

Teacher and student in class
Empty school hallway

WEHS Math Teacher Shirin Omidvar felt she was already serving in a supportive capacity, so she also chose to become a beacon.

“For me, it was a matter of the additional layer of training to attend and the visibility by my door so kids can find me if they need to,” Omidvar said. “I think it’s beneficial because the more safe points of contact we can have for kids that may need someone to talk to, the better it is for kids overall.”

With September being Suicide Prevention Month, both campuses are committed to supporting students in finding the help they need. From distributing valuable resources such as stickers and wristbands to hosting engaging activities during lunch, both high school campuses are fostering a community where everyone knows they can reach out for support

“We had a table in the cafeteria at lunch with an activity where students could write ‘What Makes Life Worth Living’ on a poster,” Miller said.

Beacon of Hope posters hung on library exterior wall

Amberly Brown, WEHS Student Support Advocate, often tells students that they can’t show kindness to others if they aren’t showing kindness to themselves.

“They need to be taught how to do this,” Brown said. “So, we set up an activity during Power Hour where students could stop by and learn about this early suicide prevention technique, which honestly occurs long before noticing a friend’s behavior change and asking if they are okay.”

Students creating a beacon of hope banner

Hosting mental health awareness tables during lunches ensures that all students, especially freshmen, and students new to the school, are aware of the program, creating an inviting space for everyone to learn about available resources and support.

“This is a chance for them to connect, ask questions, and get familiar with the support they can receive,” WHS Spanish teacher Sheilla Romero-Belshaw said.

Teacher and students in class
Beacon of Hope Image

Wallace believes it is important to have many trained, trusted adults that students can turn to when they need to talk.

Counselors, paraprofessionals, front office staff, and even student nutrition staff serve as Beacons of Hope. It’s not just teachers.

“Think about it – there are seven counselors, two student support advocates, and almost 3,200 students on our campus,” Wallace said. “A majority of the 83 trained volunteers are in the classroom and interact with and have built relationships that make their students more apt to go to them to talk.”

Each year, Wallace helps install decals on the classroom doors of the newest Beacons of Hope.

“I love seeing the number of participants increase year after year because that means there are even more trusted adults for our students to go to,” Wallace said. “The CDC has stated that the number of adolescents reporting poor mental health is increasing. Anything we can do to mitigate that number increasing on our campus -- I am going to support.”

High school can be a challenging time emotionally and socially. Students can struggle to find the right support.

“Having a trusted adult to reach out to can make a significant difference in a student's overall well-being,” Romero-Belshaw said. “Whether it’s navigating mental health issues, dealing with academic stress, or coping with social challenges, this program ensures that students know they have someone they can count on during these formative years.”

The Beacon of Hope program also pairs students with mentors throughout the building.

“We, 1000%, believe the Beacon of Hope program is beneficial because teens are dealing with a lot of ‘outside interference’ nowadays, such as pressure to maintain social media norms, access to instant news and information, lack of downtime, fears about violence, and cyberbullying concerns, that generations before them did not encounter,” Brown said. “They need at least one dependable, trusted adult in their support system to listen and help them process their experiences now more than ever. That’s where the Beacons of Hope come in.”

WHS implemented the Beacon of Hope program three years ago. After hearing about it, Brown knew that the Raiders could benefit from it as well. They launched the program at WEHS this school year.

WEHS ARD Facilitator Shannon Carraway volunteered to be one of the Beacons.

“I know high school is difficult, and I want students to know that I am always available to listen and help out in whatever way I can,” Carraway said.

When WEHS Student Support Advocates asked for volunteers to start the Beacon of Hope program, they were amazed by how many faculty members wanted to help.

“The message we really wanted to get across was that volunteering to be a Beacon of Hope did not mean they needed to do anything extra or different than they normally would do as a caring Raider staff member,” Brown said.

Beacon of Hope Poster on a tiled wall

More than 60 WEHS staff members attended the training. There was so much interest that they had to create a waiting list.

“We hope to offer another training next semester for others,” WEHS Student Support Advocate Jennifer Caban-Hernandez said.

As a teacher and someone working toward becoming a school counselor, Romero-Belshaw understands the pressures and challenges that students face, both academically and personally.

“Being a Beacon allows me to provide that essential support system creating a safe space where students can express themselves openly and feel valued,” she said. “I'm proud to be part of this initiative, and I hope more schools will adopt similar programs in the future.”

  • WEHS
  • WHS