Not only can it be daunting, the first year of high school can often be a difficult one for freshmen, seen as the proverbial ‘low man on the totem pole’ during that year.
But at Oakdale High School, some seniors have stepped up and taken those younger students under their wing, helping smooth their transition to the high school environment through a mentorship program.
“The Senior Mentor program began in October of 2022 when I pitched the idea to my boss, Gillian Wegener, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction,” explained OHS Academic Coach Kelly Olson.
Wegener took the idea to officials including District Superintendent Larry Mendonca and OHS Principal Mike Moore, who agreed to a trial run.
Olson said the first year, which was the 2023-24 school year, she worked with Computer Science teacher Joe Gilbert and Resource teacher Jill Burford to bring the program to their classes.
“We started with eight mentors pushing into fourth period; half of them would be in Gilbert’s class and the other half in Burford’s,” Olson explained. “The mentors were selected based on teacher recommendations, interest, and an interview. These original eight students taught brief lessons twice a week; everything from navigating high school to study habits to social and emotional topics. On Fridays, the eight mentors met with their individual mentees to go over grades, tutor, and sometimes just play games and have conversations.”
This year’s group included 13 senior mentors, with six of them taking the class during second period and seven during fifth period. Throughout this year, Olson said, the mentors have worked with a total of between 90 and 100 freshmen.
“Both Mr. Gilbert and Mrs. Burford are instrumental in helping make the program successful,” Olson said.
They had a wrap up party of sorts on Friday, May 2 – two, actually – with the different class periods. Before they got to enjoy cake, the class members came together for a ‘year in review’ style event. Mentors – many of whom signed their letters of intent for college as part of the event – also offered thoughts on the students they worked with this year and how they program has impacted them.
And while many said they sometimes weren’t sure if they were making a difference, the testimony of one freshman who shared her thoughts and thanks to the mentors was a clear indication that it’s a program that works.
“In addition to working with the students academically, the mentors teach a variety of lessons and work on public speaking skills and career skills. We have also been able to attend four college field trips the past two years, thanks to the generous donation of our School Site Council. This year we went to UC Davis in the fall and Stanislaus State just last week,” Olson added. “The Senior Mentors get as much – if not more – out of the program than many of the freshmen. They learn how to be teachers, and it has inspired some of them to pursue a career in education.”
With the overall goal being to provide as much support as possible to help freshmen succeed and get on a good path for the rest of their high school years, Olson said it has been rewarding to see the program in action.
“It is very hard to reach freshmen academically; therefore, the mentors work hard to befriend the ninth graders and know them as people. This has enabled the mentors to change the trajectory of some of these students’ academic progress,” noted Olson. “Others don’t accept the mentors quite as well, but the mentors never give up trying to help the students in any way possible. Many of the freshmen express to me that they want to be mentors when they are seniors.”
And that, she said, is the best indication that an impact is being made.
“My greatest reward is seeing the Senior Mentors get excited when they have been able to make a difference in a freshman’s life,” Olson admitted. “We often talk about how they may not see immediate results in many of the kids, but those students will remember the mentors and their lessons for years to come. I also love to watch the interaction between the seniors and the freshmen, especially when they take them to the library on Fridays to meet with their individual groups. They work so, so hard all year and I feel blessed to work with such wonderful young people.”
This year’s second period senior mentors include Melissa Mayo, Joselyn Pineda, Tyler Mercer, Eric Flores, Skye Braaten, and Leah Sales. The fifth period mentors include Andrea Davis, Holly Hixon, Jordan Birchall, Madison Mattos, Jaylen Ward, Bethany Baker, and Avery Alves.
“Our program is once again expanding next year to include 20 mentors in five different classes,” Olson said. “Every year the program looks a little different as the mentors bring in their own unique spin and ideas.”
