Mentors vital to students' success

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Volunteers from every walk of military life are making a difference in children's lives by being mentors.

The mentorship program, which is organized through the Okaloosa County School Board, draws heavily from the local military population. Active duty, civilian, contractors and retirees provide nearly one-fourth of the district's current 453 mentor volunteers.

Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander, recently accepted a Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award on behalf of Team Eglin for support of the school district's mentoring and Saturday success tutoring programs.

"This award validates that our warriors serve in the local communities, as well as on duty," Colonel McClintock said. "Thanks to the dedication of our mentors, the positive effects on children are far-reaching. Students learn important social and life skills because a caring adult mentor provided one-on-one time as a listener, encourager and positive role model."

"The role of mentors is critical for our students and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Eglin AFB in obtaining mentors," said Dr. Alexis Tibbetts, school board superintendent when presenting the award.

Edwin Bell also received a MLK Humanitarian Award for his dedication as a student mentor at Fort Walton Beach High School while still active duty at Eglin Air Force Base. A mentor for more than five years, he has also joined the Saturday Success Program at Choctawhatchee High School, tutoring students in preparation for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

"Most successful people had a mentor when they were adolescents," Dr. Tibbetts said. "Mentors give kids an appreciation for why literacy is important, why staying in school is important and why it's important to give back to the community."

Kenya Martin, a flight vehicle integration program manager with the Air Force Research Laboratory, said she became a mentor while in college and she continued her Big Sister involvement by sponsoring an elementary school student here about three years ago. She recently joined the Take Stock in Children program and also mentors a student at Choctawhatchee High School. Ms. Martin said mentors throughout her life guided and encouraged her and shaped her into the person she is today.

"I decided that being a mentor is a great way to impact and empower youth, and demonstrate life sources, values and skills that will allow mentees to be successful, more confident and more well-rounded individuals," Ms. Martin said.

David Wheeler, 96th Mission Support Group's Director of Staff, is also the liaison between the base and the schools. In addition to serving on the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, he works with the community group, Academic Excellence Society, in closing the achievement gap for low-performing minority students.

"The mentoring program is very important from Eglin's perspective because of the diversity of the people we can draw upon," he said. "Some mentors are bilingual, as are the students, and other minorities who are scientists and engineers, can talk to students about critical skills for their future."

While the number of mentor volunteers continues to grow, many children who need an adult mentor do not have one. Volunteers may mentor in the school of their choice and it requires less than an hour a week. There is no expectation that a mentor will tutor; however, volunteers who wish to tutor are welcome to participate in the Saturday Success Program at Choctawhatchee High School or Crestview High School. For more information, contact Diane Meredith at 833-7614 or meredithd@mail.okaloosa.k12.fl.us.