Mentorship program offers opportunities
- May 20, 2010 · 11:58 am
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MOUNT VERNON — As a bridge between school learning and the community, the Mentorship for Leadership program offers motivated high school students the opportunity to explore specific career interests with a member of the business community. Coordinated by John Jurkowitz of the Knox County Educational Service Center and Lori Beach of the Mount Vernon City Schools, the program consists of individual study projects, 10 hours of seminars, two job shadowing sessions and 18 hours with a mentor.
On May 13, the participating students gathered to share their projects and findings with their fellow students as well as mentors and family members.
“The most valuable thing about the experience,” said Centerburg’s Rebecca Roberts, “was getting to learn what a vet does, to be around actual veterinarian [Fred Altizer] who knows what he is doing. I learned a lot. The experience solidified my decision to become a vet.”
Jack and Donna Martin said they were pleased their son, Scott, had the chance to participate in the mentorship program.
“This is an outstanding program,” said Jack. “It gives these students access to different careers so they can make better decisions when they go to college.”
“And it can rule out choices,” added Donna. “It might help them find out what they don’t want to do. Sometimes that is just as important.”
Four students gave formal presentations after the celebratory dinner. Christa Thomas, Fredericktown High School, mentored in the field of nursing and shadowed in agricultural education. She talked about what she learned in her mentoring experience, and listed her likes and dislikes in nursing. She said she is still undecided on her career path.
Scott Martin, East Knox High School, said he learned a lot about himself in the seminars. His mentorship experience involved working with acoustical equipment under the tutelage of Kenyon College’s J. Terrence Klopcic. He experimented, for example, with sound waves, sound reception and echoes. He discovered that “physics is really, really cool.” Martin said he will probably major in electrical engineering.
For the full story, click here for the May 20, 2010 e-edition
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