TUSTIN

At the 12th annual Peer Assistance Leadership Student Recognition luncheon recently, the Orange County Department of Education recognized the PAL program at Columbus Tustin Middle School as one of the two “outstanding” middle school programs in the county. Columbus Tustin’s PAL group consists of 70 students who have participated in numerous school activities, including Red and Yellow Ribbon weeks, Unity Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, Great American Smoke-Out Day, Leukemia Drive, Toys for Tots and Orange County Food Bank, as well as tutoring.

PAL is a countywide program that involves more than 12,000 students. It focuses on building self-confidence and leadership, problem solving, communication and social skills. The Tustin Unified School District has participated in PAL since 1989.