January is National Mentoring Month, a time to promote youth mentoring in the United States. While Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has many mentors working in schools today, there are also specialized mentor programs set up for students, by students.

For example, AVID students from Tallwood High School travel to Centerville Elementary to visit students (from first-grade through fifth) who are also taking AVID classes. The “Tallwood buddies” – as they are affectionately known – have become staples in Centerville’s halls and have helped prepare the young Centerville Dolphins for success leaving elementary school.