April has been a mentor for Green Halo Scholars for nearly three years, and her dedication and passion have made a significant impact on the lives of our scholars. When asked what inspired her to become a mentor, April shared that her own experience navigating the college process with her children opened her eyes to the complexities and challenges that students face today. She couldn’t imagine a busy high school student trying to navigate the process alone, especially first-generation students whose parents might be intimidated by the process. When a friend who was already a mentor invited her to join, April knew it was a great opportunity to make a positive impact.
One of April’s most memorable experiences as a mentor was attending a graduation party for one of her mentees. Despite not knowing anyone at the party, the mentee thoughtfully seated April and her husband with her future roommate and her parents. The warmth and inclusiveness of the family and friends left a lasting impression on April. She was touched by the kind words shared by the friends and the delicious homemade food prepared by various relatives. This experience reinforced the strong bond she had built with her mentee and the importance of community and support.
Strong and Supportive Relationships
April believes that building a strong and supportive relationship with her mentees is key to their success. She frequently checks in and reminds them that she is there to help. By keeping track of important deadlines, auditions, interviews, and exams, she shows her investment in their journey and acknowledges their hard work. First-generation and low-income students often face significant financial challenges, making college seem out of reach. April and her fellow mentors work tirelessly to connect them with schools offering grants and scholarships. Every one of April’s mentees has received at least one full-ride offer, providing opportunities they never thought possible.
April’s support extends beyond the college application process. Starting in May of their junior year, she gets to know her mentees and their goals. She helps them create a list of schools, narrow down their major if unsure, complete applications, fine-tune essays, navigate financial aid packages, and decide on the best fit academically, socially, and financially. Her advice to her mentees is simple: “Don’t forget I’m still here!” While the mentoring commitment is technically one year, her dedication doesn’t end there. She is always happy to support them in college and beyond.
Balancing academic responsibilities with other aspects of life can be challenging, especially during senior year. April helps her mentees prioritize and suggests letting go of tasks that may not be a good use of time. She encourages them to focus on fewer schools that are a better match and repurpose essays when possible.
The Mentor Experience
One of April’s proudest moments as a mentor was seeing her first GHS mentee, Dulce, thrive at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dulce, currently a sophomore at UIUC, is taking advantage of every opportunity presented to her and has gotten so involved on campus in just a short time. April shared, “I just got a text that she landed a summer internship, and I’m just so proud of her!”
Reflecting on her mentoring experience, April says, “Being a mentor has enriched my life immensely. I feel so fortunate to have met so many incredible, hardworking kids and getting to see their reaction when they realize they are REALLY going to college, and they aren’t going to have to go into tremendous debt is the best feeling ever. The kids are just so inspiring and quite honestly, they are fun to work with. I know these kids are going to graduate college and make a positive impact in this world, which we all benefit from as a society.”
