As the fall semester continues, many clubs and organizations are beginning to reopen and establish themselves. Mentorship is one of the clubs that has been highly anticipated to make its comeback. Mentorship announced their return on September 11. This year marks the third year of the mentorship program since its start in 2020.
The mentorship program at MACES is known for its innovative initiative that aims to connect sixth-grade students with upperclassmen in hopes of offering guidance, support, and encouragement throughout their middle and high school journey. The mentorship program has already begun positively impacting the school’s culture. The program pairs sixth-grade students with sophomores, juniors, and seniors enabling them to form meaningful connections with their peers and offering a lifeline for navigating the complexities of middle and high school life. Mentors are able to provide their mentees with a sense of comfort and community that prepares them for success in their new environment.
One of the program’s mentors and board member, Mia Gonzalez, a sophomore, spoke passionately about the objective of the program. “The program’s main objective is to allow sixth-grade students to feel more comfortable and welcomed in the MACES environment by interacting with those in the higher grades,” Gonzalez said.
The mentors meet with their assigned mentees regularly, offering advice on everything from study habits and time management to extracurricular activities and building self-confidence. These interactions extend beyond academic support, helping students cope with the social and emotional challenges that can arise during their middle and high school years.
Both mentees and mentors can benefit from participating in this program. Both mentors and mentees are able to learn and grow with each other, they acquire skills that help them prepare for the future. “Mentors can benefit from the Mentorship program in ways such as improved social skills and becoming a more patient and flexible person in terms of interacting with younger students. Mentees, on the other hand, are able to gain more knowledge on certain topics they might have heard of before. They may even learn completely new ones!” Gonzalez said.
As the mentorship program continues to evolve, the Wolfpack remains committed to empowering its students, not only with knowledge from textbooks, but also with the vital life skills and support necessary for their personal growth and development. The future’s looking brighter for all students involved, proving that sometimes, the most valuable lessons are learned through the bonds of friendship and mentorship.
