Finding a Common Thread

I'm mentoring a 6th grader through Achievers For Life. It's been a great experience and I've developed a relationship with a young girl, who wants to be a cheerleader. We're definitely different in regards to interests and age. In middle school, I participated in band. I wasn't preparing to join the cheerleaders team in the 6th grade. I was practicing how to play my clarinet without squeaking!

Though we're different, we've both found a common thread that we share. Both of us have a sibling, who has a disability which requires special education classes. Both of our siblings aspire to be models.

It is by this common thread, that we're able to relate to one another. I have learned that mentoring helps students academically and emotionally. Though mentors and students only see each other once a week for an hour, it makes a difference.

This is my first time mentoring since I participated in First Coast High School's STAR Buc's program in 2005. STAR Buc's stands for Students Taking Active Roles Buccaneer Style. I along with three seniors mentored a classroom of 9th graders, who were at-risk for failing the FCAT. At the end of the year, the classroom voted me as "Best Mentor." Recently, I was informed that my mentee would be the "Success Story" for her middle school. She's improved academically and her behavior has changed too.

It makes me proud to mentor a child - it's the most important hour of my week!

A Poem & Reflection

Blind Eyes

One foot placed in front of another, short steps are aided by another.
Enablers holds the hands of the blind, guiding and leading.
Enablers whispers in the ears of the blind, suggesting and commanding.
Enablers disables the blind one's mind.

The blind, who can't see pass his own adversities.
The blind, who can't see pass how far society allows him to go.
The blind, who can only imagine what it would be like to see.

To see the colors black or white, and not know the difference.
To see poverty or wealth, and not judge based on appearance.
To see every person for who they are.

One foot placed in front of another, short steps are aided by another.
Enablers holds the hands of the blind, crippling one's dreams to see.

Reflections

"The blind" is someone with a disability to see pass society's expectations. There are people, who live in poverty and they are satisfied emotionally, mentally and physically. You can turn on the news today and learn about the countless unhappy and troubled celebrities in the world. Wealth and material possessions are not a measurement of happiness. Self-actualization is a measurement of happiness.

There are so many young people who have the potential to be great leaders and thinkers. But they can't see pass what society portrays in the media, nationally and locally. "Enablers" are individuals who actively directs "the blind" with guidance. Enablers don't have any motives to hinder an individual yet they affect "the blind" from reaching their full potential.

I encourage you to see yourself through your own eyes.