By Taylor Berns and Miranda Olsen

Think back to when you were a child. Did you know how to study for a test or how to do your homework? Did you look up to the high school kids and wish you could be just like them?  With the new Friend to Friend Mentoring Program, high school students can help middle school kids who aspire to do big things.

Friend to Friend was a new program added to AHS during the 2012-2013 school year.  Senior Lillie Zablocki organized the activity because she thought the school district, students, and community could benefit from it. According to Zablocki, “When one person starts something it usually downward spirals into something great. Every student, child, and teacher has a different story and it’s hard to criticize others when you don’t know what’s going on in their lives.”

In September of 2012 freshmen through junior students were sent applications to fill out and explain why they wanted to become part of the program.  After teachers reviewed applications, selected students were sent letters letting them know they were part of the new mentoring program. Once the program was underway, Zablocki got in touch with Alan Feirer from Group Dynamics, a leadership training organization that helped the students learn how to be leaders. Feirer came to the high school and did an all-day training with members of the new program. To kick off the program, Zablocki also organized an event that was held in the high school band room. Mentors met with their mentees to have lunch and learn more about them before their first session.

In January of 2013, after students returned to school from winter break, the mentoring program took full effect. Mentors started meeting with their selected mentees at the middle school.  Meeting twice a month for about 45 minutes, the students worked on homework and projects or just talked to each other. When asked about what was expected for the upcoming year, Zablocki said, “I hope the group can flourish a bit more now that we are recognized as an organization and not just a couple kids getting together to mentor. I want the kids involved in the program to be proud of what they’re doing.”

As a mentor from last year, junior Hannah McLean said, “I think it’s really cool that Lillie was able to get this started from such a small idea.” Sophomore Tanner Mauk also said the program was fun and it was a good way to meet people who are younger than we are. “My favorite part was the luncheon we did at the beginning,” said Mauk. McLean also said that she would like to see the frequency of the visits increased.

Since the program was a success, Zablocki decided to move forward again for the 2013-2014 school year. Zablocki’s biggest goal, since she is involved with Student Council and other activities at AHS, was to gather an “eclectic” group of students. Once again, freshmen through junior students were invited to apply if they have interest in being a part of Friend to Friend. Students who were in the program last year do not need to fill out another application.