In a heartwarming effort to make a difference, twenty Hamilton High School students are volunteering their time each week to mentor elementary students across the district. This unique mentorship program pairs high schoolers with the same elementary student for nearly an hour every week, creating opportunities for meaningful connections through games, crafts, and conversations.
“It’s like a big brother or big sister opportunity,” said Tricia Sal, social worker and counselor at Blue Star Elementary. “Some kids don’t have that older sibling to look up to, and this program fills that gap.”
At Blue Star Elementary, senior Kiera Lewis and juniors Abigail Miedema, and Michael Verkaik, just to name a few, have embraced the opportunity to connect with their younger peers. Each week, these high schoolers spend time bonding with their elementary partners in ways that feel as rewarding for them as it is for the kids.
“Every single Thursday, I get to hang out with my friend Kate here, and we play games and get to know each other,” said senior Kiera Lewis, smiling. “It’s amazing. I love taking time out of my day to be here. It’s a reminder of what community really means.”
Junior Michael Verkaik echoed the sentiment while engaging in a game of Battleship with his mentee. “I like helping kids; I just find it fun,” he said.
For Abigail Miedema, the experience is also a step toward her future aspirations. “I want to be a kindergarten teacher someday, so I thought this would be a good experience,” she shared while making rubber band bracelets with her third-grade friend, Nadia. “It’s a great way to learn how to work with kids while having fun and building connection.”
The younger students, too, have embraced the program with excitement. “I got to win Battleship, and I love doing rubber band bracelets at home,” said Nadia, beaming as she sat next to Abigail. “I think about seeing Abigail almost every day.”
For Sal, the program is a win-win. “It has been really fun to have the high schoolers in the building, getting to know the teachers and building relationships with the students they’re mentoring,” she said. “It’s not just about having fun; they’re strengthening academic skills and learning about themselves in the process.”
The program also bridges a unique gap, fostering connections between older and younger students that might not otherwise exist. “It’s rare to see this kind of relationship, where kids from different age groups connect,” Sal added. “It’s such a forgotten connection, and yet it’s so important.”
Credit for the program’s success goes to Kaylee Dykema, a social worker at Hamilton High School, who worked closely with the district’s elementary schools to make the mentorship program a reality. Thanks to her efforts, students at every level of Hamilton Community Schools are building bonds and learning what it means to be part of a truly connected community.
“This makes us a community here at Hamilton,” said Kiera Lewis, summing it up perfectly. “I really love it.”
