Student mentors aide Latino children

Latino youth are finding it is conceivable to go to college with the help of some UNL students.

Every week, nearly 15 college students meet one-on-one with Latino students, ages 9 to 18 from Lincoln Public Schools.

The students were matched up by a program called the Latino Achievement Mentoring Program, started by two University of Nebraska-Lincoln students.

The college students serve as mentors, helping the younger ones with homework, participating in social activities, listening to their problems and giving them a tour of UNL's campus.

Lora Carpenter, a senior environmental studies major, said she mentors two sisters who are in fourth and sixth grade.

She said both sisters were intelligent, but because no one in their family went to college, the sisters needed role models to show them that higher education was possible.

"We went to a university fashion display," Carpenter said. She said it was exciting to hear one of the sisters say she wanted to be a fashion designer.

Mandy Snyder, program director for the Latino Achievement Mentoring Program and UNL student, said the program had one aim.

"The goal is to make the university more assessable," she said.

The program was established last fall by the Hispanic Community Center, 2300 O St., and university faculty members of the Latino Research Initiative.

The mentors and the Latino students met for the first time in September at their respective schools.

The students are from Elliott Elementary, Everett Elementary, Park Middle School and Lincoln High School.

Snyder, an English and Spanish major, said the program was about more than going to the movies and just hanging out.

"(The school setting) sets in their mind that the program really focuses on education, Snyder said.

The students were matched up at the schools, but now they are free to choose where they meet and what they want to do, making the program individualized for each student's needs.

Laura A. Roy, activities coordinator for the mentoring program, said mentors were required to participate in a weekly two-hour workshop to improve mentoring skills and gain support from other mentors.

The mentors meet with the students at least two hours a week to help with school work, meet with family members or go out to have a good time.

Eryn Vaughn, a sophomore Spanish and communications major, said she had been a mentor for a month. She volunteered her time without any incentive of college credit because she enjoyed being a volunteer.

"My mentee is 10 years old and is really smart," Vaughn said.

"She comes from a large family with a lot of younger brothers and sisters," she said. "So we go out and do new things like ice skating.

"It is refreshing to have a relationship that is not about you, but someone else."

J.W. Novotny, a secondary education major, said he had been a mentor since September. He's getting college credit for it, but that's not what motivated him to do it.

"It's just fulfilling to watch a child succeed," Novotny said. "It makes me feel good."

Vaughn said the workshops and the support the other mentors have given her have made the program a success.

"Without the Tuesday night meetings, I don't think I would have a relationship with my mentee," she said.

Snyder said it was not necessary for a mentor to speak Spanish, but it was necessary to be able to understand cultural differences.

Students who are interested in being a mentor can call Snyder at the Hispanic Center at 474-3950.