Participants of the Athabasca Mentorship Program exchanged letters and said their goodbyes during the annual wrap-up luncheon and celebration June 1 at the Athabasca Seniors Drop-In Centre.
This year, 24 mentors were linked with 23 Grade 4 and Grade 3 students, spending their lunch hours together working up a sweat in the gym, baking together or piecing together puzzles.
Program co-ordinator Karen Wintonyk said everything seemed to go smoothly this school year.
“The school year is coming to an end, so this is their time where they come together and say their good byes,” she said.
The wrap-up luncheon was Wintonyk’s last day on the job, as she handed the reigns over to Nadine Tomuschat.
“I’m excited about it and nervous, because Karen’s been doing such a good job of it for so many years. It’s some pretty big shoes to fill,” Tomuschat said. “I really enjoy working with kids,and I’ve seen the benefits of what a great program it is.”
After mentees and their parents were seated with their mentors, the partners exchanged letters outlining what spending time with each other meant to them. Wintonyk gave some opening remarks, announcing her retirement from the program once everyone was connected.
“This is a very special event to be here with all of you guys and celebrate an amazing program. I’m so blessed to be a part and to have been co-ordinator for such an amazing program,” she said.
After a group photo lunch began, which was prepared by the Edwin Parr Composite foods class. They served sandwiches and chicken soup, followed by mud and worms for dessert.
Kelsey Rolof mentored Grade 3 student Curtis Swanson this year, and said she also benefitted from having mentored Swanson.
“It was really nice to take a break from a busy day and just play. We spent a lot of time in the gym, and I sit at a desk all day so it was really fun to run around in the gym, play games and get to know each other,” she said.
Swanson’s mom, Crystal Bennett, said it was good for her shy son to meet new people, and he would come home after ever mentor visit day talking about the activities they engaged in.
Wintonyk said mentors really do make a difference, and pointed to the example of one mentor running into her mentee years later in the drug store.
“Just before the mentor was ready to leave, the mentee leaned over and said, ‘You know you did make a difference in my life,’” she said.
