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St. Olaf mentors bring college to life for middle-schoolers

By Elizabeth Child
May 21, 2007

Seventh or eighth grade seems early to be thinking about college, but not for 44 students from St. Paul's Humboldt Junior High who were on campus May 8 to participate in activities with their St. Olaf mentors.

The junior high students were in GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) and TRiO's Educational Talent Search. The two federally funded programs serve low-income students or those who would be the first in their family to attend college, preparing these so-called "at risk" kids for higher education at an age when most young people are thinking only about high school.

Laughter and smiles were abundant -- and why not? The students got to spend a school day on a gorgeous campus when the crab apples trees were in full flower. They got to play basketball on the newly paved outdoor courts or baseball with an oversized bat (to even the score). And they got Cage-blended smoothies to quench their thirst.

The Humboldt girls even won a dance-off with their mentees, though the impromptu judges gave a nod to the Oles for their vocals.

But the day also introduced them to St. Olaf via mini-courses taught by professors, gave them an inside peek at a residence hall and allowed them to deepen their connection with mentors who help them stay focused on the big goal of attending college.

Seventh-grader Fabian Munos, whose parents didn't attend college, says his relationship with St. Olaf mentor Melissa Yang '10 is helping him stay committed to his studies. He is determined to be the first member of his family to go to college.

Outings to campus are important not only to showcase college life, but also to bolster trust in the relationships. St. Olaf mentors and their mentees also have spent time together this year going roller skating and playing board games.

Otherwise, the primary connection is through letter writing. Every other week one writes to the other. Mentors help paint a picture of college life, while mentees get encouragement, academic support and a listening ear.

LaQuayla Glass sends homework to her St. Olaf mentor, Kim Hallinan '09, which Kim proofreads or offers suggestions to improve. LaQuayla also writes to Kim about her summer plans and daily activities in her life, but she's guarded about more personal issues. She says Kim gives her good advice when she's struggling with a class and helps her to focus and manage her time.

In addition, she says, "The program gives me different views of college. It makes me want to work harder to make the grades I need to go to college."

Humbodlt Junior High English teacher Heidi Dunlap confirms that the biggest reward her students get is a glimpse into the "reality of college." Three-fifths of her students are in a college support program.

"College isn't a vaporous, imaginary thing to them," Dunlap says. "They have a real college student to talk to. Coupled with the campus visits, college becomes real. They realize that even college students have homework, sit in front of computers and sometimes get a grade they?re not pleased about."

Though mentors play an important role as academic supporters, Yang, who wants to major in social work and education, says the best part of being a mentor is spending time with the kids on a sunny spring day, where they do activities that melt away the differences in age and circumstance.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.