Mentoring Day is a big hit on campus
By Margene WillisWhat a wonderful day we had last Thursday! The 302 children and youth who experienced “A Day in the Life of a College Student” felt welcome and experienced a terrific morning with their mentors on the campus. Sixteen elementary, middle and high schools in Horry County and two elementary and middle schools in Georgetown County participated. At least 260 CCU student mentors hosted the children, along with 30 to 40 other student volunteers.
Activities were held on Prince Lawn, as well as classrooms in Edwards, Smith Science and the Wall Building and included:
• Sandy Nelson and her students, who organized the physical activities on Prince Lawn.
• Professor Denise Lewis and her students, who organized healthy, fun activities.
• Profesor Jose-Luis Mireles and his students, who educated and delighted students with piñatas.
• Professors Michael Collins and Mark Mitchell, who made learning about business fun and interesting.
• Ebony Bowden and Leadership Challenge students who enlightened students about preparing for college.
• Marissa Mitzner and the Sustainability Initiative for all the Earth Day activities.
• Ben Abercrombie and interns from Playcard Environmental Education Center for the dip nets and critters (including the baby gator).
• Coaches and athletes who signed autographs, mingled and made the children feel so special.
• Staff at The Commons who kindly served everyone so efficiently.
The school coordinators said it best:
"I have been able to witness firsthand the difference this kind of program makes in the life of the community. I am so appreciative that Pee Dee Elementary has had the opportunity to be a part of the program. Yesterday was the first time most of the children with me had ever set foot on a college campus. I am here to tell you they will never forget the outpouring of encouragement they received. The mentors, the athletes, the cafeteria staff, faculty and vendors all did their part to make our children feel like they fit in and that college is an option for them. On a personal level, I came away filled with hope. It is wonderful to know that all those people are concerned for our children's well being. I thank you for all that you did to pull all of those people together.... Please know that you are truly appreciated."
- Kelly Covington, Pee Dee Elementary School
“Our students loved the field trip on Thursday. They are continually expressing to me that it was the best field trip they had ever had in their life. We will never know how many kids may end up going to college due to this wonderful experience. For me personally, I wish I could have been part of the mentoring program and had an opportunity to visit a busy college campus. I may not have had such fear of going to college.
It was absolutely perfect weather, perfect activities and perfectly delicious food. I could tell lots of planning went into making sure our mentees had an awesome experience on campus.
Please thank everybody for the “great” adventure. Lives were changed because our kids do want to go to Coastal Carolina University due [to] this positive experience.”
– Gail Dale, Assistant Principal, Waccamaw Elementary School
