At last year's regional Peers Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) conference at Manchester Community College, ASD students offered a workshop that drew overflow crowds. This year, they have been invited to open the March 18 conference with a round table presentation to hundreds of students, teachers and parent volunteers.

Part of a national effort to nurture junior and senior high school student leaders and make school communities a better place to be, PAWS' objectives are to create positive peer influence in schools; increase youth self esteem, sense of purpose and personal power; provide opportunities to develop and strengthen leadership skills and make a real contribution to their school communities. ASD PAWS members meet monthly throughout the school year to organize events that educate and promote discussion among the junior and senior high student body. Anti-Bullying Week, Mix It Up Lunches and No Name-Calling Week are PAWS initiatives that have challenged students to take responsibility for creating a respectful, inclusive and supportive school community.