#BeAMentorMonth: Who is Your Mentor? Vol. 4!

Serena believes that your mentor can be your parent!
(From L to R: Serena and her mother)

It is important to have a mentor for many reasons, but most of all, a mentor is someone you look to at a time of trouble. Someone is your mentor because you believe in what he or she has accomplished and his or her way of going through life. So it is natural to try to think of what your mentor would do in times of stress. It is important to have a mentor, so that you have someone to look up too. It is impossible to know the right thing to do in a situation all the time, especially as a teenager. That is why it is important for teenage girls to have a mentor to look up to and lead the way for them.

The person I look up to and consider to be my mentor is my mother. It sounds cliché, but when I need help with something I always look up to her. Balancing school, sports, friends, and extracurricular activities can be very stressful at times, but thinking about how my mom has accomplished so much helps me get through it. She is always there for advice and constructive criticism.

Having a person to help you and guide you is the reason why everyone should have a mentor.  It would be hard to accomplish much without one! 

#BeAMentorMonth: Who is Your Mentor? Vol. 3!

My mentor is someone who is always willing to listen to me no matter what

(L to R): Lauren's mother and mentor with Lauren!

 I have to say, she is my mom. I would say my mom is a good mentor because not only is she accepting of who I am, she also leads by example. Whether it is how she was as a strong business women, thoughtful mother, or a determined person.

She is always showing me how to be a better person which makes me want to be a better person. That's what I think a good mentor does--not only should he or she be there to help you but also she should be able to take his or her own advice. A mentor though is not always perfect because without mistakes he or she won't be able to improve. A mentor leads by example without trying to be someone he or she isn't.  This kind of mentality does not get anyone far in life.

I learn a lot from my mom, whether it's good or bad, but that's why she is a good mentor because she can admit to her mistakes and move on from them. She is also there for me through the difficult times, always has my best interest at heart, and does everything she can to help me get to the goals that I set. I don't know if I would be able to accomplish what I have without my mentor!

#BeAMentorMonth: Who is your Mentor? Vol. 2!

A mentor is defined as an experienced and trusted adviser who counsels others. My definition of a mentor is someone who inspires and motivates me to do better. I have numerous mentors in my life but right now the mentor that made an impact recently would have to be my volleyball coach. She has been my coach for all 4 years of high school. She was my confidant all four years with volleyball, schoolwork and even issues with people at the school. Coach pushed me to do better and helped me control my technique, have more passion for the game and most important, life lessons I will remember for years to come.

Julie has learned more than just volleyball
from her coach!

Coach is a person I immediately could trust and she told me my first year of high school I had become a good volleyball player but by the end of my high school years I would be a great person. She was right! She taught so many things. I will never forget them. She used this phrase for being to events and practices on time but she said it implies to punctuality and how to make a person’s first impression. “If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late. If you are late, that is unacceptable.” I try my best to do this because she is right, people take up their time for you, the least you can do is be early and prepared with the drive she knew we had.

Lastly one thing she said was “better the ball."  After you touch the volleyball, you should have made it better than before it hit your hands. I took this quote into real life. I try to never leave anything worse than when I became involved in it. She is a true inspiration to me and she has mentored me through some of the most confusing and fun years of my life! I will miss being on her team and seeing her but I am glad for the experiences and lessons that will stay with me for a long time. She will be one of the reasons I am so prepared for my college years and future!

#BeAMentorMonth: Who is your mentor?

Looking back on my life so far I can think of multiple scenarios where I wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision. Whether it related to my academics or just advice in general I have always looked to others for guidance. One person I can always count on to be there for me is Tay Rivers. I have known Tay since I was in the fourth grade. She is a few years older than me so I have to admit that when we first met she was a little intimidating. Little did I know then that this would not be the case as I got older and started high school.

When I was in the tenth grade I took an advanced Spanish course that was very challenging. Knowing that she excelled in Spanish I reached out to Tay for help. Even though she started out as just my tutor it was not long before our relationship evolved. Over time I found myself increasingly going to her for both academic and personal advice.

When she graduated high school I felt sure that our friendship would slowly fade away as she became accustomed to her new life as a college student. But this was not the case as she is still there for me, even though she is busy beginning the new chapter in her life.

Ane's mentor, Tay

When I reflect on our friendship I do not hesitate to attribute the strength in our relationship as a result of her personality. Tay is one of few people who I can contact at anytime of day and never failing she is there to listen. Along with being a good listener, she also offers me good advice. No matter the situation I may be going through she always gives me the perfect response that is the solution to my problem. I know that regardless of the circumstance I can count on her to lead me in the right direction.

Most importantly Tay displays the upmost level of genuine affection to everyone in her presence. I am very grateful for the friendship I share with Tay and everyday she inspires me to do the same. I hope that one day I can serve as a mentor for someone else and shine a light in their lives in the same way Tay has in mine.