Are you a 17-year-old who has always wished for a 10-year-old sidekick?

The peer mentoring initiative was introduced at Brentwood High School a few years ago, initially pairing a small number of teenagers with younger students in fourth and fifth grade. Now, in its ninth year, the program has expanded to include nine elementary schools throughout Brentwood School District.

“I was excited to see the interactions between the elementary and high school students,” said Tiffany Ward, Hemlock Park Elementary school counselor.

Over the course of four months (from January to May), both the mentor and mentee develop a strong friendship. This year, however, the program is starting a month later because it will help the senior mentees get collected and organized for college applications.

“The timeline of the program has been altered to be slightly shorter, as the high school students are involved in other activities, which impact their participation,” Mrs. Ward said

“This year, the program is going to be about a month shorter, starting in February. I feel as though this is the right choice, as a slightly shorter program will help maintain participation, and be easier for our mentors [since] it will start after mid-terms,” said Kelsie Scofield, Loretta Park elementary school counselor.

The meetings for mentor and mentee are once a week, starting at 2:15 p.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. Each elementary school has a designated weekday for their meetings, so if mentors wanted to visit more than one school, it would be possible and easy to coordinate. Buses are provided for students to visit the school of their mentee and to return home.

“Both the teen and child get to bond and speak about topics that may impact them both,” Mrs. Ward said.

“Mentoring is beneficial to both the teen and the child. I feel that the program is for both mentor and mentee self-esteem. The mentors have the experience of being a role model and a leader, and the mentees receive the individualized attention of someone who they can look up to,” Mrs. Scofield said.

This program represents a transformative opportunity for both young children and teenagers from different backgrounds to offer each other guidance, support, and encouragement. Mentors and their mentees get to learn about their favorite subject or hobbies with ice breakers the school counselors assign. Mentors and mentees go around asking each other questions and bond with one another.

“Mentoring offers a sense of community to both students as the high school students think about their experiences in the primary grades and elementary students get a glimpse into life in the secondary grades,” Mrs. Ward said.

“Mentoring offers mentees a safe place to establish a relationship with another student who can give advice, a new perspective, and a positive role model. It offers mentees the opportunity to give back to their community and positively influence young students who need it most,” Mrs. Scofield said.

The mentoring program offers benefits like personal growth and skill development for mentor and mentees. For example, mentors offer advice and guidance based on a mentee’s specific challenges or goals. The group creates an inclusive and safe space for sharing.

“I had a wonderful experience with the mentoring program. I loved seeing how much our mentees looked forward to attending each Monday and watching them truly listen to and absorb what their mentees would tell them, as well as laugh and have fun with them,” Mrs. Scofield said.

Mentors and mentees discuss the highs and lows of their week, such as what bothered or excited them. They try to help one another through difficulties or offer praise for what mentees did well. When they have these talks, they pay attention to one another and not judge but rather listen and give feedback.

“I joined the club because I wanted to try something new that could be useful. Our meetings made me more mature and able to communicate my feelings and have more time management,” Emely Fuentes, a junior.

“Last year was my first year in the program and I was able to make new friends with the other mentors and mentees. I made connections that meant so much to me it was the highlight of my year,” Amna Naqvi, a senior.

Everyone deserves companionship, so why not embrace the spirit of the season by joining this program and potentially forming lifelong friendships? You may find it to be a rewarding experience.