Student mentors

work with children on a one-on-one basis. Each Friday, the pairs spend

approximately one half hour at Peeples reading together, working on special

projects or just talking and getting to know more about one another's

school life, interests and goals. The high school mentors focus on encouraging

their students to work hard in school and practice reading on a daily

basis.

"The elementary

students have benefited from the high school students encouragement and

attention. The students feel like they have a special friend who is coming

to see just them each Friday morning," said Conklin.

Not only do

the elementary students look forward to the Friday visits, so do the high

school mentors, according to Bogumill.

"The high

school students are loving working with the elementary students. They

take it seriously. They are getting themselves here every Friday at 7:30

a.m. when school doesn't start until 8:35 a.m. That has to show how dedicated

they are to their position as a mentor," she said.

Being a mentor

is a year-long commitment. Although the high school students have to arrive

on campus just about an hour before they normally would, all of them say

the fulfillment and enjoyment they get from being a mentor far outweigh

the early wake up call.

"I got

into this program because I wanted to help out the kids. It is a lot of

fun and it feels good to know you are helping a young student," said

Jeremy Garner, a junior who wants to participate in the program again

next year.

The counselors

say they are finding success in the program as they observe both sets

of students becoming stronger socially and academically. It is their hope

to be able to continue Starrs and Rockets next year and allow more students

to share in the experience.