It all began eleven years ago when I was helping out in a second grade classroom at McNear School.  Mentor Me Petaluma was just gearing up.  I was asked if I would be willing to participate in the program and mentor a second grade girl, Leslie Mejia.

I agreed.

During the years of elementary school and Junior High we met faithfully every week, played board games, cards and checkers, did art projects, talked and shared.  At vacation times and on some weekends we took advantage of the riches of the Bay Area-museums, ecological sites, San Francisco offerings, theater, concerts, holiday celebrations.

When Leslie entered Petaluma High School our meetings were not to regular.  She had a very busy schedule.  But we got together at least once a month, either over a meal or a special outing and/or experience.

At the time of her high school graduation Leslie was scholastically in the top ten of her class with a GPA over 4.0  She had mastered a series of AP classes.  That achievement enabled her to enter college as a sophomore.  The college she chose and that chose her is the University of California, Berkeley.  Now she is a full time student there studying environmental issues.  She works part time on campus at the International House where she interacts with fellow students from all over the world.

She loves the challenge and the opportunity that she is a part of.  In her first semester she earned straight A's.

We continue to maintain the bond that I treasure.  I am looking forward to being a part of her success. 

Thank you for sharing your story, Lynn!