VBCPS office of family and community engagement (FACE) announced their 2025 Model Partnerships, including the mentorship program between Green Run High School and White Oaks Elementary.
Green Run High AVID teacher Jennifer Eason and White Oaks Elementary counselors Karidah Cotten and Leah Brown created the interactive partnership between the two schools several years ago.
“The purpose of this partnership is to connect students with mentors that can serve as ‘cheerleaders’ for our students who are in need of a little boost of confidence, connecting in school and, or some social-emotional support,” Cotten said.
This year, 13 seniors were chosen as mentors based on their demonstrated leadership abilities and school involvement. Most were in the AVID program, and some in ROTC.
They were paired with one or two of approximately 30 White Oaks Elementary third, fourth and fifth graders.
Mentors visited the elementary school almost weekly. They read together, played games and had conversations about doing well in school, building relationships with peers and more.
Green Run senior Amariah Bankston said she enjoys mentoring younger kids.
Both of her mentees were excited to see her each time she arrived, she said. “We always had something new to talk about.”
They discussed their pets and families, plus created bracelets with words of affirmation to help them think positively when taking a test.
Senior Frankie Banks said she wanted to participate in the program to help build leadership skills, especially since she wants to be a teacher one day.
“My mentee was shy at first, but as time went on, we got really close,” she said. They talked about school, home life, interests, hobbies, video games and music preferences.
Senior Edynizer Ordonio said he hoped to make a difference in his mentees’ lives.
“I wanted to show the kids that no matter who they are, they can make connections with different people.”
He talked with one mentee about music, video games and friends and learned a lot from him about airplanes and the military.
Another mentee needed some help controlling emotions better. “I taught him some breathing techniques and to have a positive mindset,” Edynizer said.
Cotten said the partnership has increased the White Oaks students’ confidence and sense of belonging.
“Our students that have mentors have increased self-esteem and relationship building skills,” she said.
Rayne Prichard said her mentor made her feel better, while Londyn Hamlett said it was like having an older sister. “She told me things to do and not to do in high school and life,” she said.
Melody Ball said her mentor was nice. “Having a mentor helped me focus more in class,” she said.
Eason said the mentorship program was beneficial for both sets of students.
The high school students served as positive role models and “learned about the importance of patience, leadership and communication,” she said.
Cotten said the seniors not only received credit for their community service requirement, but realized they could “make an impact on the world.”
2025 Model Partnerships:
- Alanton Elementary School and Alanton Elementary School PTA.
- Arrowhead Elementary School and Arrowhead Elementary School PTA.
- Bayside High School and Bayside Power.
- First Colonial High School and 17th Street Automotive.
- Kellam High School and Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center.
- Kempsville High School and MidAtlantic Surveying and Land Design.
- Landstown High School and LifeNet Health.
- New Castle Elementary School and New Castle Elementary School PTA.
- Seatack Elementary School and Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).
- Technical & Career Education Center and City of Virginia Beach Emergency Communications & Citizen Services.
- Three Oaks Elementary School and Three Oaks Elementary School PTA.
- Virginia Beach Middle School and Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).
- White Oaks Elementary School and Green Run High School.