Mahomet-Seymour students showcase 15-year Freshman Mentoring Program to school board

At the Jan. 21 Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3 Board of Education meeting, students from the high school’s Freshman Mentoring Program described a 15-year effort that pairs upperclassmen with incoming freshmen to help them adjust academically and socially.

The students said the mentoring teams operate inside roughly a dozen classrooms, with about four to five mentors per classroom and about 20 to 24 freshmen assigned to each mentor team. “The heart of [the program] is building connections and relationships and supporting our freshmen through their entire first year of high school,” said Levi Avery, a junior, who introduced the student group.

Students told the board that mentors meet with their mentees during the school year and also prepare over the summer, meeting three to four times to learn names and plan lessons. They described regular “academic days” on Mondays for homework help and lesson sessions on other days covering topics such as stress management and community service. “A big part of this takes place during the summer…we start planning our meetings,” said Olivia Minor, a junior.

Students emphasized mentoring outside the classroom as well: attending competitions, driving mentees when needed and introducing freshmen to extracurriculars. One student said a mentee wrote in a midyear survey that a mentor “always drives me home when I need it and never makes me feel like a burden.” Another cited a mentor’s help preparing for auditions.

Presenters acknowledged challenges, including keeping lessons engaging and practical for freshmen; they said the program uses a midyear survey to adjust second-semester programming. Students also floated practical requests to the board, such as a dedicated mentor lounge and parking spots for mentors.

Board members praised the presentation, asked how the program has changed in 15 years and commended staff sponsors. “I think the greatest gift you can give somebody is your time,” Board Member Bannister said during remarks praising the students and the program’s leaders.

The presentation was led by student mentors and was introduced by Dr. Lee, the district superintendent, who highlighted the program when touring prospective families. Students named staff sponsors Ryan and Mrs. Martin and several senior and junior mentors by name during the presentation.

Board members did not take a formal vote on the presentation. The program’s details — including staffing, volunteer expectations and requests such as parking or a mentor lounge — were recorded as discussion items that the board said staff could follow up on.