TEENS, Inc., Nederland Middle-Senior High School, and Nederland Elementary School (NES) have once again teamed up to provide a mentoring program. At first glance it may seem like the fourth grade mentees are the ones on the receiving end of the benefits. Dig a little deeper and one will see that the high school mentors are benefiting as well.

Max Marschhausen, the Community Mobilizer at TEENS, Inc., credits the youth who are a part of the Mountain Coalition for Youth as the ones “who identified this gap and created this idea of a mentorship program in an effort to address this gap” in the community. Marschhausen continued, “They then put in the effort and action to make this program happen. So a special thanks and shout out to Mountain Coalition for Youth and the Youth Leadership Academy, as well as TEENS, Inc., both PTAs and all three schools for providing funding, time, and energy to make this a possibility!”

Juniors and seniors from Chinook West and Nederland Middle-Senior High School can apply to be a mentor. Once Marschhausen has the applications in hand he reviews them and schedules an interview. Marschhausen shares, “This is to feel out whether or not this program is the right fit for the individual applying. Additionally this is great practice for our students to gain interview skills.”

During the interview the high school students are asked if they have past mentorship experiences. There are questions to gauge the level of commitment and skill level. If Marschhausen and his team decide that the applicant would be a fit for the program, the training begins.

Before being paired up with a fourth grader at NES, each mentor undergoes training that gives an overview of the program and the program’s goals and intentions. There are also trainings in verbal de-escalation tactics that have been adopted from Therapeutic Crisis Intervention classes. This year’s mentors are receiving four trainings throughout the program year to build on their existing skills, and to learn more conflict resolution, mental health, and wellness skills. And while these are great competencies for mentors, they are also great life skills.

You may wonder what high school students want to hang out with 10-year-olds and be in a position where they need to make solid connections with them. Some may first look at this program because they need volunteer hours for the National Honor Society or another school requirement. However, they really do need to like kids to do this, and some come back for a second year. What is the appeal? I am especially curious about this, since this year it is more personal for me: I have a daughter in fourth grade at NES.

When asked why he wanted to be a mentor, first year mentor Gray Schlosser said, “When I heard about the opportunity to participate in the mentorship program, I immediately signed up for it. The chance to work with little kids in our community and allow them to build bonds with high schoolers and other older people in our community is extremely important and an opportunity I wish I had access to when I was their age. Creating a link or bridge between the elementary school and the middle-senior high school is vital to keeping the student count at both schools high enough to offer everything that the schools have the ability to offer. I love mentorship!”

Teaghan Hartman is a second year mentor. She shared, “I came back because mentoring kids is a nice break from high school, and it’s also nice that we get the chance to help these kids, even if that’s just providing companionship. Plus it’s fun when you see them outside of school and it’s nice to see a friendly face.”

Bella Lamb, also a second year mentor, said, “I think it’s amazing so far this year, and last year made me want to do it again this year. All the fun planned activities and getting to know the younger kids has been wonderful, and I’m excited to get to know them.”

Cedar Shupe added, “It is fun to be back at NES, and see what elementary kids are experiencing today.”

Payton Kutscher said, “This is fun for the fourth graders and the mentors. We are building connections with each other and between the schools. It is also fun to come back to the elementary school.”

The mentors are not the only ones who think this is a positive experience. When asked about the mentorship program most fourth graders replied with a big smile and said, “It’s fun!” They truly enjoy the program. Since one of the mentees is my daughter, I asked her to sit down with me and tell me her side of the story.

Rachel said that when she heard that her class would be part of the mentorship program she was “so excited.” She and her friends could hardly wait to see who their mentors would be. They get to play fun games and activities a few times a month with the high schoolers. Rachel shared that her mentor is kind, funny, patient, and great to hang out with.

Rachel added, “When we go to the middle-high school for your work, Mom, no one sees me or talks to me. But when my mentor comes, she talks to me about things and listens to me. It makes me feel special.”

The goal of the Mentorship Program is to develop stronger continuity across schools and to strengthen the community bond within Nederland. In this, its second year, I believe they are taking positive steps towards achieving that goal.

The number of mentors has grown this year compared to last year. The fantastic work being done by Marschhausen and Stazi Snelling at TEENS, Inc., and all those supporting this program are to be commended.

When it is mentorship day there is extra excitement in our house in the morning. There is hope that lunch time will come very quickly, because that is when the high schoolers come to NES. It is a special time for the fourth graders and the mentors.

This program started with an idea by the youth of the Nederland community, to benefit the youth of the Nederland community. Because of the leadership, program plan, and support, it is off to a great start. The Mentorship Program is having a positive impact on the community and schools as the mentors and mentees learn life skills, learn active learning skills, and show each other that we matter.

The mentors this year are: Polina Savich, Teaghan Hartman, Trinity LeBlanc, Bella Lamb, Isaac Buckland, Hayden Hardt-Zeman, Blue Garcia Paine, Echo Siglin, Holly Evanson, Quinn Kingsbury, Gray Schlosser, Amelie Bodnar, Lauren Schrader, Eliza Brundege, Mason Novak, Mira Holmgren, Natalia Upczak, Jayden Abookire, Payton Kutscher, Kendall Zotti, and Cedar Shupe.