Recently, Roosevelt High School gained a new PALS advisor for the 23-24 school year. Economics and government teacher Mr. Swensen is new at Roosevelt, but that doesn’t stop him from taking on new challenges.
Peer Assistance Leadership and Service, otherwise known as PALS, is a student-led mentoring program that motivates students using resiliency strategies. PALS helps provide a critical line of defense by choosing certain students to mentor elementary and middle school students throughout NEISD.
Before Assistant Principal Alfredo Barragan changed roles at Roosevelt, he was the PALS advisor in addition to teaching social studies. “It was kind of a dramatic shift,” Barragan said. “When I was able to take over PALS for a short amount of time, I was very happy, but then the way things played out with me becoming an assistant principal, I feel as though PALS is in good hands.”
Prior to this school year, World History teacher Mary Thompson had been the sole PALS advisor for many years until the transition to Mr. Barragan began in the spring of 2023.
Students in PALS experienced the biggest impact with the change considering their friendships with Mr. Barragan. “It felt weird at first because Mr. B. was really into PALS, and I could tell that he wanted to continue being our teacher,” junior Richard Rutz said. “Mr. B. was really energetic about it.”
Senior and PALS member Emaya Stahley describes Mr. Swensen as “a good teacher” and “overall a cool guy.” “He talks to us [and] he cares about our feelings, so it’s nice to have that sense of security with him,” Stahley said.
With understandably mixed student emotions throughout the transition, Mr. Swensen experienced emotions of his own. “When they presented me the opportunity, I was very excited because I do believe in the program,” Swensen said. “I think it’s really great for our community.”
Although Mr. Swensen is new to the Rough Rider community, he has already gained acceptance throughout Roosevelt. “I met Mr. Swensen when he was student-teaching here and he always had a good report, always understood how to handle significant situations,” Barragan said. “I definitely feel like he was a really great fit for the PALS program and I’m really confident in his abilities.”
As we approach the end of this school year, Swensen already has ideas for next year. “For next year I would like to have more PALS because the more PALS we have, the more we can help,” Swensen said.
As for Mr. Barragan and his new position, will he continue to be part of the PALS program? “Absolutely, I will do everything I possibly can to help out PALS in whatever needs to make sure the program’s still strong and thriving,” Barragan said.
Mr. Swensen’s new energy and excitement breathes new life into the PALS program, but will he continue to hold his position for the rest of his time at Roosevelt?
“Absolutely, if they’ll have me,” Swensen replied enthusiastically.
