TEMPLE, Texas — One hundred and thirteen Temple Independent School District fourth and fifth graders met their new mentors as the district hosted its Wildcat Mentors kickoff event on Thursday (October 3) at the Ralph Wilson Youth Club. The Wildcat Mentor program pairs students with volunteers from the community and school district to provide companionship, support, and positive role models.
The Wildcat Mentor program is now in its 15th year of serving students in Temple ISD. Thursday’s kickoff event gave mentors a chance to meet their students for the first time to share a meal and some fun while getting to know each other.
“I am so excited to see the Wildcat Mantor Program kick off another new year,” said Yara Thomas, student support specialist for TISD and member of the Wildcat Mentor board. “This program makes such a positive impact on both our students and mentors, building meaningful connections that help students grow, gain confidence, and feel supported. Our mentors also find the experience incredibly rewarding, as they get the chance to give back and make a difference in the lives of our young Wildcats.”
Wildcat Mentors are expected to spend at least two hours a month with their student and the program’s mission is to develop one-on-one relationships and support efforts to empower students to make positive choices enabling them to maximize their personal potential. The program also serves to provide students with regular and consistent contact with trusted adults, emphasize the value of learning and provide academic support, encourage educational and vocational exploration, and provide information about opportunities in higher education. Many of the mentors return to the program year after year and those volunteers seem to benefit almost as much as the students they are mentoring.
"You don’t always see the results right away, but you see it down the road. My very first mentee was a senior last year and spoke at our mentor impact banquet and it made me cry,” said Brenda Sirny, a Wildcat Mentor board member now in her eighth year with the program. “I love being around the kids and I have a good time with the kids, but a couple of years down the road when you see that kid again and they remember you, it means a lot. We make a difference whether we see it right away or not. We want these kids to see that someone cares about them enough to come see them several times a month, is interested in them and can be another person they can come to if they have something they need to talk about.”
The program still has room for additional volunteers to serve as mentors, especially males. The program is seeking at least five more mentors but will continue to accept applications for this year until October 30th. To learn more about the Wildcat Mentor program or to volunteer to serve as a mentor, visit the program’s page on the Temple ISD website at the following link: WILDCAT MENTORS – Wildcat Mentors – Temple Independent School District (tisd.org). Persons interested in serving as mentors may also reach out to Yara Thomas at [email protected] or by phone at (254) 215-6957.
“As we continue to grow, we are always looking for more volunteers to join this incredible journey,” Thomas added. “If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, we’d love to have you sign up and be a part of something special. Being a mentor is one of the most rewarding experiences. It’s about guiding, supporting, and believing in someone as they grow and face new challenges. As a mentor, you not only help shape a young person’s future, but you also learn and grow alongside them. The connection you build can have a lasting impact, making a difference in ways you never imagined.”