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Peer mentor program receives American Promise grant
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Peer Mentoring Program at McCook, Nebraska, Public Schools recently received an "America's Promise" grant, made available through McCook National Bank, to help high school mentors who meet once a week with elementary-age mentees throughout the school year.
The high school students act as role models for these youngsters, according to Pam Ochsner, McCook Junior High guidance counselor. Some of their activities include board games, play dough projects, coloring, painting, drawing and reading.
The grant award was used to purchase new and replace old materials for these activities.
The high school mentors are Alli Been, Sydney Clapp, Kyle Groshong, Sara Larington, Mikayla Packard, Kaylee Samway and Kelsey Siebrandt. They volunteer one class period per week to meet with their mentees.
In a recent survey, the students were asked what it meant to them to be a peer mentor. Some of their replies were:
"I love it, I really enjoy seeing the impact it has had on my mentee and how happy he is to see me each week. He seems to enjoy it just as much as I do!"
"It's really becoming more and more important to me now that I have actually formed a relationship with my mentee. I wouldn't want to ever skip a day."
"It means being a supportive friend and role model ... to be a constant presence that can be trusted. I feel like an older sibling."
"Being a friend and setting an example. I realize how much love they can give out and how much they need to know you care. It means putting aside your time and wants for someone else."
"To be a role model, someone she can look up to. To be the fun person she gets to play games with on Thursdays, being there to listen and talk. Being a great friend to her."
For more information on the Peer Mentoring Program, contact Pam Ochsner, guidance counselor at McCook Junior High, (308) 345-6940; or Lynse Schmidt, school psychologist at McCook Elementary, (308) 345-5681.