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Top of the class

Program matches kids with niche kin

Hernando County elementary students will get high school mentors through Florida's Big Brother Big Sister program for the second straight year.

By MATHEW WASSERMAN
Published August 25, 2005

Students at several Hernando County elementary schools will soon be getting some of the good things that go along with having an older brother or sister, without having to deal with the sibling rivalry.

This is Hernando County's second year as a participant in Florida's Big Brother Big Sister program, which enables local high school students to spend time with younger learners.

Jean Kingsbury, program director for Big Brother Big Sister in Hernando, Pinellas and Citrus counties, said the program went well last year and this year wants to increase the number of high school volunteers.

"We're looking to have about 20 students at each of the schools," said Kingsbury.

Last year, the Hernando Christian Academy sent 11 students over to Moton Elementary for about 90 minutes of one-on-one peer mentoring.

"The older students really helped the kids and acted as role models," said Moton principal Donnie Moen.

The high school students were there to assist their younger counterparts academically and emotionally.

"Reading is always one of the most important things we do," said Kingsbury. "Our academic activities always revolve around reading, math and science."

However, scholastics aren't the only things that are important to elementary school students.

"We also really help the students emotionally," said Kingsbury. "We try to build their confidence."

The emotional education is achieved by matching students and mentors who will work well together and have compatible personalities.

"We screen the mentors and the children to provide a good match," said Kingsbury.

The program will begin in a couple of weeks at Moton Elementary, Spring Hill Elementary, Pine Grove Elementary and Powell Middle School.

"We are very interested in getting some new role models and peers for the students to work with," said Moen. "So far the program has worked out great for us."

[Last modified August 25, 2005, 01:09:20]