Part of the freshman starter pack: Puma Peers

Heated competition during the Puma Peers Heads-Knees-Cup game on Friday, September 11, 2026 (Esmond Hoang)

By Esmond Hoang, Staff Writer

Entering high school is usually filled with uncertainty and fear as you adjust to a new stage of your life. Luckily, at Maria Carrillo High School, there is a program full of experienced students to remedy that.        

It’s called Puma Peers, and it consists of juniors and seniors who applied. This year, it’s overseen by teachers Jordan Henry and Natasha Deakins. “It feels really rewarding to work with some of our highest performing students,” said Henry.

Throughout the school week, the Puma Peers visit their assigned freshmen advocacy class, or squad, as Henry calls it. They deliver news and advice, as well as organizing the Freshmen Cup. Every Friday, the Puma Peers hold a competition between all the Advocacy classes. Winners get their points tallied up and the advocacy with the most points by the end of the quarter is crowned with a trophy and receives a pizza party. Competing with each other is a great way to build friendship or simply learn about a fellow classmate. Many of the freshmen remark that playing with friends is their main reason for participating. 

Currently, Laura Grodrian’s advocacy is the leading class headed for the freshman cup, with Maddie Doyle and Emily Wolper close behind. However, the quarter isn't still left before anyone wins.

The program is mainly funded by the Parents Association, but Deakins pointed out that “the school also helps fund it through the School Plan for Student Achievement or SPSA because it’s tied to our goals.”  

The responsibilities of Puma Peers extend outside of school as well. Before the school year starts, they act as guides during freshman orientation. For the freshman, they're the first introduction of the school culture. Similarly to orientation, they act as guides for the parents on Back To School Night. They even work with kids outside of high school for the Special Olympics. “Every year, it feels like our role expands and expands,” Henry noted. 

Many of the students chose to become Puma Peers because they relate to the freshman. “They made me feel really welcome and I wanted to do that for others,” Puma Peer Nicholas Sarver said. "Whenever I see my freshman advo around break or lunch we’d give them high-fives and the ‘yo, what’s up.’”