H-D mentor program looks forward to next year

After four weeks of classes, Hampton-Dumont's new student-led mentor program has come to a close.

Over the last month, eight H-D high schoolers have been spending their Tuesday at the middle school to teach the younger students how to handle social pressures be more considerate about how their actions affect others through lectures, games, and other activities.

The program, spearheaded by senior Katelyn Proctor, was well received by both students and teachers alike, so plans are already in the works to make sure it continues after she graduates.

"I know there's a great group of people like Bella that will be able to carry it on well," said Proctor.

Of the eight high schoolers that participated in the program, Isabella Noelck and Lauren Meader are the only two juniors that will be around next year to see it continue. Noelck is already thinking about how the program can be improved based on what they've learned this year.

"We're definitely going to focus more on social media next year," said Noelck.

Instead of a four week program next year where they meet with the middle schoolers once a week for a month, they are considering switching to a monthly format that goes through the entire school year.

"Hopefully that will create more of a lasting impact on them," said Proctor.

The high schoolers are also trying to come up with new lesson plans for next year's eighth graders, looking at ways to make them more interactive with activities that can be done in smaller groups.

"We realized that splitting them up into smaller groups makes things go way better," said Proctor.

The program was a learning experience for the high schoolers as well, who came away with a whole new appreciation for the work that their teachers do.

"We did not realize how exhausting it is to stand in front of them all day and to teach the same thing over and over," said Proctor. "It's a lot of work."

More than just time, programs like this cost money. From sticky notes to plastic cups and food, the students relied on donations from local businesses to support their lesson plans. Donations from Buresh Building System, Korner-Whipple Pharmacy, Castle Dick & Kelch Insurance, MidCom, Christensen Jewelry, First Bank of Hampton, First Security Bank, United Bank and Trust, Fareway, Kwik Star, and Scott Hoegh allowed the group to buy the supplies they needed to do activities beyond simple lectures.

"We had to buy three or four hundred of everything that we got," said Proctor. "Without our sponsors we would have virtually nothing."

Though she will be graduated next year, Proctor still intends to stay involved. Those that wish to reach out and offer assistance can get in touch with her at katelynproctor28@gmail.com or call her at 641-512-8505.