US Mentors & Mentees Gather for Lunch

The Upper School's "Path of the Dragon" Peer Mentor program completed its first year with a joint lunch in the US Library on April 18.  See a Photo Gallery from the event.  The program brought one junior or senior alongside several 9th graders or other new students to provide advice and encouragement during the transition into high school.  "The program helped new students feel welcome and develop positive relationships," said Mark Rickard, thanking the three students who proposed and organized the new program last fall.

Several of the mentors described their interaction with the 9th graders, who also spoke about their experience at the lunch.  "Having a kind face in a crowd of people you weren't acquainted with eased coming into high school," said Erika Piotrowski, who thanked her mentor, senior Katie Thew, for all of her help.  "She got me into rock climbing, and knowing she had my life in her hands, and that she wouldn't let go, is an incredible bond to have with someone."  Current 10th and 11th graders can sign up to be mentors for next year's incoming students.