Wildcat Youth Mentors

The Wildcat Youth Mentors are comprised of a very diverse group of college students from many different disciplines, for example: one mentor was a PhD candidate in Microbiology while another was a freshman, pursuing her B.S. in Business. Nonetheless, a large percentage of Wildcats had previous experience with youth guidance through summer camps or programs, such as peer-to-peer mentoring. During this school year, the 6th, 7th and 8th graders met for one hour, every week with their mentors. Most often, the individual meetings included socialization, recreation or to help establish a routine for homework. The interaction between mentors and mentees helped to develop friendly relationships that provided a level of comfort and support to the students. Many of the bonds formed carry on past the length of the program. In one case, a mentor continued to correspond with her mentee through email while on a trip to Italy.

There are plans to continue this school-based program in the new Barrington Middle School and to add Oyster River High School beginning in the fall of 2004, incorporating new themes after this first trial year. The new middle school will also be adding a 5th grade, which will be welcomed into Wildcat Youth Mentors. New Assistant Principal, Michael Tursi, will help to coordinate the program. In addition, quarterly meetings will be held at UNH to track each mentor’s progress and address any questions or concerns formally. The number of mentors will also be downsized despite the overwhelming response during the first recruitment period, which brought on board no less than 30 mentors. Recruitment for next year will begin in September. The program offers many UNH students the additional benefit of satisfying community service requirements that are necessary to participate in certain campus organizations, such as Greek life, or courses in which the students are enrolled. If you would like to learn more about Wildcat Youth Mentors please contact Bruce A. Montville EE at (603) 929-0832.