Student Mentor Program Celebrated 20th Year of Service

November 4, 2013 (Independence, IA)- The Independence Community School District Student and Mentor Program celebrated 20 years of making a difference last Fri. night at the Jr./Sr. High School.

The open house celebration was attended by many mentors, past and present, students, staff members and community members.  They were greeted at the door by Vernie Kirkendall, Frank Shaw and Jerry McCalley, members of the “Shysters” morning coffee group.

Brian Eddy, School Board President introduced the featured speaker of the evening, Stan Slessor, past Superintendent of the Independence Schools. He told mentor stories from the past and also shared that Independence has “Intergenerational muscle” that sets us apart from others.  He also reminded us as mentors when paired with a child, “to abandon our thoughts as an adult and see the world through the eyes of a child, and let the magic happen”.

Norma Gates, mentor and her mentee, Clarista helped mentors and students make their handprint for a mentor quilt square for the 20^th year quilt.

Refreshments were prepared by the Culinary Techniques II and Independent Living Skills Classes and served by Dianne Hepke, past mentor coordinator and Silver Cord student volunteers.

Silver Cord student volunteers along with School Board member Rusty Donnelly, guided tours of the building throughout the evening.  It was a great evening and enjoyed by all that attended.

It was also announced that the Mentoring program is having a fundraiser this Wed., Nov. 6 and next Mon., Nov. 11, at the Independence Pizza Hut. A percentage of all sales dine in, carry out or delivery, on those two days will be shared with the mentoring program. If you would like a coupon, please stop by the West Elementary office.

For more information about the Student Mentoring program, contact Val Maximovich at vmaximovich@independence.k12.ia.us or by calling (319) 334-7400 ext. 626