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Written by Greg Bird
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Friday, 25 July 2008 |
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Several MCHS students volunteered to give up one of their summer vacation days last Thursday to learn how to help provide leadership and guidance to the incoming Freshman class. 
The students spent the day playing games, talking about school spirit and learning how to be a role model for their younger classmates as part of the Kick-Off program at McCreary Central.
Lee Lonzo, creator of the program, led the prospective mentors in discussions about the opportunities they will have in leading the Freshmen to a successful high school experience.
“It takes a freshman about 70 hours to learn to trust a teacher,” Lonzo told the students. “Do you know how long it takes to trust a senior? Seven minutes.”
Each upperclassman who completed the training will take five or six freshmen under their wings to help them make the transition into high school life. The Mentors will serve as a familiar and friendly face to the younger students throughout their first year, encouraging them to participate in extra-curricular activities and providing them someone to look up to and talk with when they have questions.
Statistics show that up to 40 percent of freshmen are at risk of failing at least one course in their first year of high school, and that increases their risk of dropping out of school altogether. The Mentoring program offers a way to give those students positive advice from a trusted person closer to their own age group.
The Mentors will also benefit from the program; learning valuable leadership skills that will help them as they advance to college or their careers after graduation.
The Mentors will introduce themselves to their freshman charges and begin their task on August 8th during the Freshman Orientation day at McCreary Central.
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