Students share joy of mentoring
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It was graduation day of sorts at Castleton State College as the class of 2019 received their diplomas and celebrated their accomplishments with their mentors. Abby Valentine (left) and Heidi Jones flank mentor Carisa Chadburn. The students attend Castleton Elementary School. ALBERT J. MARRO / RUTLAND HERALD |
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By Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writer - Published: April 13, 2009
CASTLETON — Justin Garritt's recruitment into the Castleton State College Mentoring Program was inadvertent.
The program, overseen by Center for Community Service assistant director Jan Rousse, pairs about 200 CSC students with fifth- and sixth-graders from Castleton Elementary School.
"Jan had me take pictures over there once and I fell in love completely the first time I walked through the door," Garritt said. "The excitement when you walk in is unbelievable. It's refreshing."
From October to April, mentors meet one-on-one with their students each week. The program includes several larger events, including an end-of-the-year party that took place recently at the college's Fine Arts Center.
On other occasions, Garritt said, mentors helped students make Christmas cards for American troops in Iraq and brought a nurse in to talk to the students about eating disorders.
Most weeks, Garritt said, mentors have lunch with their students, play with them during recess and talk about mundane topics — he said sports is a favorite among the boys — and students sometimes join their mentors on campus.
"It's about planting the seed for college today," Garritt said.
Kevin Richer, a 12-year-old sixth-grader, said he can't wait until he sees his mentor each week.
"It gives me someone to talk to during lunch," he said. "We talk about what he's going to do at college the next day."
Eleven-year-old Ryan Alexander, Garritt's mentee, said he accompanied Garritt to a science lab session and helped dissect a cat.
"I'm serious, it was pretty cool," Alexander said. "We basically talk about sports, what's up, what's going on around campus. It's preparing me for the steps ahead of me."
Castleton Elementary School Principal Carole Pickett said she could go on and on about the value of the program.
"The mentors are such incredible role models for our students," she said. "We pride ourselves on doing a lot of leadership training, but a lot of the leadership training is done through Castleton State College students."
Rousse said the mentors, all volunteers, benefit as well.
"They miss their families," she said. "It gives them a purpose in life."
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com
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