Kallie Waller

Writer

Mentoring younger kids can be an amazing opportunity for older kids, but it also benefits the younger generations. 

An article and study published by “Child Trends”expresses many benefits on how mentoring can be beneficial to both younger and older children.

The benefits can range anywhere from better attendance and grades at school to better social and emotional development.

In teenagers, studies show that mentoring can reduce the risk of substance abuse and reduce negative youth behavior. 

At Marlow High School students strive to make a difference in numerous ways, and MHS students are ringing in the holidays with some new and exciting events for the younger kids. 

Sophomore Haylee Daniel is one of the American Sign Language students who is volunteering through the Foreign Language Club to teach Marlow Elementary kindergarteners how to sign “Silent Night.” 

“I learned lots of patience and teaching skills, and I believe I’ve made an impact,” Daniel stated.

“I believe it impacted them because it introduced them to new things.”

Many other clubs and organizations at MHS are mentoring at the elementary and providing positive role models for those young students to look up to.   

The Library Club travels to the elementary school and reads to the kindergarteners in the spring in honor of Dr. Suess’s birthday

Junior Gabby Hack expressed how she believes it makes a positive impact on the kids.

“I believe reading gets the kids engaged and gets them more excited about reading,“ Hack expressed. “Reading to the kids inspires me to be a role model, and to find ways to make reading fun for them.”

Marlow Elementary guidance counselor Julie Harris has seen the positivity at the elementary school that comes from high school mentoring. 

“Our younger students have had the opportunity to experience many positive impactful moments of high school students. I truly feel that through these experiences, it motivates our younger students to want the same opportunities when they are in the shoes of a high school student,”  Harris stated.

Foreign Language Club and Library Club are just two of the organizations that are taking the time to engage with Marlow Elementary students, there are many other activities such as sports clinics, football buddies, musical concerts, drama plays, assemblies, and other activities that are leaving positive impacts for students across the district.

MHS students go above and beyond for the little Outlaws, and they are always genuinely grateful to do it.