WAUSA – Coordinators and staff with the TeamMates Mentoring Program of Wausa are saying thank you to its adult mentors for simply being there for the community’s students.
Jan. 1 marked the annual start of National Mentoring Month, with programs honoring mentors for their service and the impact they are making on young people.
TeamMates of Wausa is set to recognize its 2023-24 mentor-mentee matches on Jan. 19 at halftime of the Lady Vikings’ varsity basketball game at home against Winside during Basketball Parents Night.
“Come see what an impact we have for our chapter as we stretch across the gym floor when the names get announced,” said Chris Johnson, the chapter’s program coordinator. “It’s awesome.”
There also will be other activities going on that night as the Wausa boys and girls basketball teams host Winside, such as “Chuck the Duck.”
“You purchase a rubber duck for a buck,” Johnson said. “During halftime of one of the games, you throw the duck to a target; the closest duck wins a prize. It’s a fun night for everyone.”
Currently, TeamMates of Wausa is supporting 36 mentor-mentee matches.
“We have mentors meeting each week with students of Wausa Public Schools,” Johnson said. “We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the mentors investing in the students in Wausa. It takes a village to raise a child.”
The mission of the Lincoln-based TeamMates Mentoring Program is to impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential.
Mentors are not tutors or counselors, nor are they there to “fix” anything – they are there to be friends and/or trusted adult advisers. They are matched with mentees based on interests and life experiences.
For more information on becoming a mentor, people may contact Johnson at WausaTeammates2019@gmail. com or any of TeamMates of Wausa’s board members, who, in addition to Johnson, are Chairman Darren Vanness, Nichole Aitken, Shane Anderson, Tanner Johnston, Scott Kinkaid, Michele Korth, Jane Wilbeck and Kyle Stevens, who also is the chapter’s school building coordinator.
