Mentor Coordinator Report
Stories & Quotes To Share:
Mentoring Matters: Each spring BTO board members come and interview students about their mentoring experiences. It’s always hectic to schedule these, but so very rewarding to see and hear from students how much mentoring means in their lives. This year we were able to interview 55 students at LHS and hear amazing stories about how much mentoring matters to them. Listening to their stories and being able to tell mentors about their impact is my favorite thing! One of my freshman boys said, “My mentor is fun. We have had similar childhoods, so he relates. He’s very helpful. I was really struggling a lot with grades, and mentally depressed (in middle school). This year I’m doing much better. I actually love math now. I was just in that class and I was rocking all the problems.”
You Matter: When a mentor shows up consistently for a young person, they demonstrate “you matter and you are worth my time.” One of my seniors put it this way in her interview: “She helped take some stress off my plate, and made life better. I have someone I can go to for another perspective. She gives me an unbiased point of view and helps me navigate things that my parents and counselor can’t help me with. It feels so nice that she takes time out of her day. Because of her, I am going to college in the fall. My life would be so different if I didn’t have her.”
Mentoring beyond high school: Graduation can be bittersweet, and the transition to adulthood rocky at times. I love hearing from the many pairs who stay in touch long after they leave LHS. One mentor and her 23-year-old mentee who still meet almost every week, sent me a recent photo of them. Another shared, “I do meet with V. every other week. She is in her second quarter at Whatcom and doing well, an adjustment for college but I think she has it figured out now.” One more mentor emailed me, “Yes, I’m still in communication with him and getting together with him about once a month. He just secured an apartment here in town and is working . . . He’s pretty happy and doing well. Still trying to guide him in his career path . . .” I’m so glad that all these young adults have caring mentors they have known for years who still show up and support.
Highlights:
• April 14th: Spring training with PSF Board and BTO coordinators
• Interviews with PSF board members (April 20-23)
• Testing week gave extra time for academic catch up for many students
Upcoming:
• LHS Saturday Academic Support on May 2 and May 30th; 9-12 with breakfast and homework help.
• May 13th: Boat Cruise for students and mentors. Always fun!
• Student and mentors surveyed for feedback
• May 26-29: Last week of mentor meetings this year
• May 29th: 6-8 pm LHS Multicultural Night
• Friday, June 5th Graduation!
Number of Current Matches: 71
Submitted by Lisa Reynolds – lreynolds@lynden.wednet.edu