“The true meaning of living is giving” is the motto of the Brave Starr’s Mentoring Program, which started at the beginning of this semester.
Varsity football coach Chad Phillips approached guidance counselor Colleen Petty about starting the program at Oak Grove Elementary for young boys who could benefit from a mentor.
Every Tuesday morning at 7:20 a.m., 12 varsity football players mentor 11 Oak Grove students who don’t have stable homes. Their sessons last 30 minutes.
During their time together, the mentors play board games or basketball to get to know each of their little buddies.
“They are in awe of the big kids,” Petty said. “They look to them as role models.”
Senior Hayden Beyer, who is new to mentoring, said he “never realized how much I would be looked up to, and I love the feeling.”
Petty said the program is working out better than she expected. “Just seeing the smiles on all of their faces warms my heart,” Petty said. “I’m a volunteer for many programs here and outside of the school, it’s what I do. But I’ve never seen kids bond so fast like they have during this program. It’s amazing.”
Petty has organized a mentoring program at Peeples Elementary for 11 years but hadn’t reached out to Oak Grove until this year.
“I just want these boys to take this leadership with them wherever they go in life,” Petty said.
Senior Garrison Elliot said that the program has definitely changed him.
“The kids impact me by just making me happy. They are goofy and fun to be around. They are truly awesome kids,” he said.
Petty said the mentoring program is designed to help the little childen, but she said it ends up helping the big kids and everyone involved too. “I would say we have succeeded,” she said.