Letters From Metro Richmond Mentors

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

We have all had people who helped develop us into the individuals that we are today — a preacher, teacher, aunt, police officer, older sibling or our parents. My parents were my top influences and, God rest their souls, they're still guiding my decisions, my directions and my actions today.

Ethel Vaughan, my third-grade teacher at S.P. Morton Elementary School in Franklin, to this day remains my most influential mentor. She is now an active 85-year-old, with whom I have recently reconnected. I thank her for teaching me to think outside of the box and giving me the tools that, 37 years later, still spark my creative thought processes.

Another mentor was Jerry Weaver, my faculty adviser at JMU. Through his friendship, dedication and instruction, he taught me the power of positive negotiation, the ability to gain respect from professionals in the entertainment industry and the savvy of working with individuals from all walks of life. Thank you, Jerry, for being a mentor in developing my professional careers and for giving me the tools to play well with others.

Now that I have worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters for almost four years and am in my second year of mentoring a spunky fourth-grader at Chimborazo Elementary, I have an even greater appreciation for mentoring the youth in our community. I encourage everyone to take the time to give a child in need a hand up in life. You'll be amazed at how large a net your influence will cast.

Mark Bowen.

Big Brother.

Richmond.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

For the past five years I have had the privilege of sponsoring the Sophisticated Ladies of Henrico High School. In that time, we have had more than 100 girls participate in the group. Our group promotes positive self-development through community service and fundraising. The girls have visited college campuses in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. They have learned etiquette from invested community members; they have been exposed to fine restaurants, and most importantly they have touched my spirit.

As a member of the faculty of Henrico High School, it would be easy for me to end my day and go home. The girls in the group help lift my spirits after a long day. They never mind giving up their free time and are always asking me what's next. I know their participation has had an impact on their personal growth. I know this because during their fall, winter and spring breaks from college (they are smart too!) they make it a point to come and find me to share their experiences. That has to be the best part about being with them — knowing that what they do has a positive effect on their lives.

Olaniyi I. Lucas,

School Counselor.

Henrico High School.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Highland Springs High School's Distinguished Springers Male Mentoring Program began in 2009. Three years later, through the HCPS Henrico Heroes Mentoring Initiative, the program has grown into a positive catalyst whose sole purpose is to enhance and empower young males.

These young men are mentored in community service, proper etiquette, relationships and academics. I was challenged to grow the program only a year after its birth. This challenge inspired me not only to mentor these young males but to empower them to reach higher than they were normally used to.

The most memorable moment during my time as coordinator of DS was during a weekly meeting. I had become frustrated with the academic performances of my young males. I had even considered relinquishing my position to someone else. During the height of my frustration, a member stood up and told me not to quit. He said I was a father figure to many of them, and they needed me. This was a turning point for me. I realized that the work that I do with these young men actually matters. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to play a significant role in enhancing tomorrow's future.

William B. Alston II,

Exceptional Education Case Manager,

Highland Springs High School.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

I remember my grandmother saying, "Grow where you are planted. Bloom fiercely with greatness and sow beauty into someone else's life so they can bloom also." Reflecting back on her words reminds me of what it truly means to be a mentor. It means to grow confidently into a person of great integrity and help others do the same. Henrico County Public Schools recognizes that many children perform exceedingly well when paired with a caring, nurturing and responsible adult — a Henrico Hero.

The Henrico Heroes Mentoring Program is a school board-funded mentoring initiative in HCPS. Henrico HEROES are Helpers Engaged in Reaching Our Excelling Schools. The mentoring initiative supports more than 30 site-based mentoring programs within the district. With the support of Virginia Mentoring Partnership, last year thousands of students were served by Henrico Heroes. As a result of building quality relationships, reading and math proficiency rose, daily attendance increased, and the lives of mentors and mentees were transformed.

Along with my colleague Regina Brown, I am one of the division program administrators. It seems fitting to apply my grandmother's wisdom to promoting the cultivation of a premiere division-wide mentoring program. I am grateful to have the opportunity to personally mentor and we both say "thank you" to the thousands of community members who are Henrico Heroes.

Kimberlin Cooke,

Intervention Specialist,

Henrico County Public Schools.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

I am a Big Sister to a fifth-grader, and I will be honest: Mentoring is tough. It is hard to find time, to find the energy and to plan activities that fit into my busy schedule. But I make it work, because so many bright young people have so much to benefit from time spent with a caring adult, and because I have gained so much myself in return. Thank you, fellow mentors, for making time to have a positive impact on youth.

My Little Sister has this to say, "I want to thank my mentor for showing me new things and listening to my stories and encouraging me. Lots of my friends don't have that kind of person, and I am glad I do. It helps me and makes me feel good about myself."

Kim Lammi,

Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor.

Richmond.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Since 2008, I have served with members of Trinity United Methodist Church at Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary School. We serve through the City-Wide Micah Initiative, a ministry of Richmond Hill, as mentors, tutors, classroom assistants and lunch buddies. We assist with a variety of done-in-a-day projects.

Every Micah volunteer receives training through the Virginia Mentoring Partnership. Each Wednesday I look forward to helping in fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms and then spending the four lunch blocks with my second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-grade lunch buddies. We read engaging books and get a chance to talk over lunch.

When I was growing up in Chicago, my mother served for 25 years at Mulligan Elementary. She shared her talent for art by creating a crayon portrait of each graduating eighth-grader and found herself toward the end of her time at the school to be sketching the grandchildren of her original students. As she said, "Each time I go to school, I feel that I have received a gift." There is no way I could pass up this experience, which is more rewarding every year. Our children are eager to learn. Our ministry is one of presence and encouragement and discovering ways that we can offer helpful hands.

Mary M. Hetzel.

Richmond.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

The Program for Academic and Career Empowerment (PACE) and The Academy at Virginia Randolph are participants in the HCPS Henrico Heroes Mentoring Initiative. The PACE Yourself and Boys to Men/Ladies Only mentoring programs are solely funded by a grant received from Henrico Heroes.

Monthly, both groups have joint meetings to discuss topics such as healthy relationships, etiquette and manners, community service and academic success. We had a packed room at our initial meet-and-greet breakfast session. Between both programs, there are more than 30 students matched with an on-campus faculty member or community volunteer from Faith Landmark Ministries.

I love serving as the mentor coordinator for PACE and being in a position to have a positive impact in the lives of so many students. The look on the students' faces when they see you weekly as a positive role model in their life and know that you genuinely care about them is priceless. It takes a lot of time and energy to create a quality mentoring program, but the students and dedicated mentors are worth every minute.

Tabatha M. W. Spurlock,

PACE Mentor Coordinator,

Glen Allen.

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

As the coordinator of the mentoring program at Short Pump Middle School (SPMS), part of the HCPS Henrico Heroes Mentoring Initiative, I have been granted an extraordinary opportunity to reach a subset of students in a unique and inspiring way. Our program is grant-funded, which allows us to think outside the box for ways that we can help empower, motivate and encourage students to achieve success and reach their full potential. Each student in the program is assigned to one faculty or staff member who serves as his or her mentor.

Our program has positively affected both the mentors and mentees. Not only have we seen improvements in students' math and English grades, we have seen an improvement in their self-esteem, confidence, attitude toward school and belief in their own ability to attend college.

It is through programs and initiatives like these that educators are able to step in and assist students in ways that traditional educational programs might not. Mentoring is a beneficial and successful partnership for all involved. We are fortunate to have a program here at SPMS.

Erin Rich,

School Counselor 7th grade,

Short Pump Middle School.