The Need

When I entered John Burroughs as a new ninth-grade student, I was joining a close-knit community where many students had known one another for years. Adjusting to new academic, social, and cultural expectations was difficult, and I realized future students would likely face many of the same challenges.

The Idea

I wanted incoming students to have someone who understood what it felt like to be new. I began working with administrators, teachers, and counselors to create a mentorship program that paired incoming students with older students who had once made the same transition.

Building the Program

What began with mentor-mentee pairings grew into monthly meetings, student panels, mentor training, and additional support for new students. The program now involves more than 60 students and has expanded into the school’s broader new-student orientation and camp experience.

The Impact

The part I value most is watching students begin to build their own relationships and confidence. What started as the support system I wished I had has become something future students can continue to shape.

“I wanted to build the support I once needed.”

What I’m Learning

Building the program has taught me that mentorship isn’t about having every answer. It’s about creating a space where someone feels comfortable asking questions, sharing uncertainty, and finding a sense of belonging.