by Reese Roaman ’25, News Editor for The Polygon

The Health Interns program has returned to Poly this spring after a five-year hiatus. Late Poly Health Teacher Patti Tycenski founded the Health Interns program in 1997 as a peer leadership initiative for Grades 5 and 6. The “health interns” were a select group of Grade 12 students who met once a week during a dedicated class block to plan their sessions. When meeting with the younger students, they discussed topics ranging from mental health to their experiences in Middle School.

“The Health Interns program was truly one of my favorite parts of Middle School,” recalls Nico James ’25, who was in Grade 5 when the program was still active. “We all thought the Health Interns were so cool, and it was a safe space where we could ask them any questions about growing up.”

The program ended in 2020 due to COVID-19 and logistical challenges, but this year it is coming back. In an assembly on February 11, Student Government President Reese Roaman ’25 announced its return.

“Since Health Interns ended in 2020, my entire grade has wanted to bring it back. It was truly the most impactful aspects of our Middle School years,” wrote Roaman and Student Government Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of The Polygon Sadie Schoenberger ’25 in an initial pitch to Student Government about the project.

“After Ms. Ty passed away in the fall, we knew that working to revive the program would not only strengthen our community but also carry on her legacy. I never felt more connected to Upper School students than I did as a Middle Schooler in this program, and I know Ms. Ty always wanted to bring it back.”

Roaman proposed the idea to Director of Student Life Jared Winston, Head of Middle School Daniel Doughty, Head of Upper School Sarah Bates, and Health Teacher Phoebe Aberlin-Ruiz P’30. They all agreed that the time was right to reinstate the program.

Winston is excited for the program to return. “Health Interns will meet with Ms. Aberlin-Ruiz either during clubs or after school to plan activities with Grade 5 and 6 students. The hope is to build on inter-division programming like Club Captains and Peer Mentors to create meaningful bonds between the Middle and Upper School divisions,” he said.  

The Health Interns are going to met with Grade 5 on Wednesday, May 14, and will meet the Grade 6 on Tuesday, May 27. With Grade 5 students, the Health Interns planned to review the structure of a heart, and the Grade 6 students are going to discuss social media usage. 

“I am so excited,” said Grade 12 Health Intern Ava Vitali ’25. “I always wanted to be a health intern when I was in Middle School, and I can’t wait for our first meeting.”

Note: This article was originally published in The Polygon‘s March 2025 issue.