21st Century Scholars Archives | Project Leadership

Meet Randy – A Project Leadership Graduate

By Project Leadership
November 20, 2015
21st Century Scholars,Blog,college access,Giving Back,Mentoring,Volunteer

At Project Leadership, we enjoy walking side-by-side with high school students as they form and pursue their post-secondary dreams. For Marion native, Randy Sheron, that meant pursuing a Social Work degree at Ball State University after high school.

As a freshman 21st Century Scholar at Marion High School, Randy already knew that she wanted to go to college, but she also realized that it was going to take a lot of work. During her freshman year, her mom informed her about Project Leadership’s mentoring program, and asked her if it was something she would be interested in.

“After she explained to me that a mentor would be there to meet with me and help me out with school, I decided that I wanted to enter the program,” said Randy.

Randy was paired her freshman year with a mentor named Mishelle Wright. They were matched for all four years of high school, and developed a strong, trust-based relationship.

“Mishelle and I had a connection from the beginning. I was quiet and shy, and I felt like Mishelle understood because she was the same way. She made me feel comfortable. We would do a lot of different, fun things, like meet at Starbucks.”

Mishelle helped Randy keep her focus on future goals, and also helped her overcome obstacles along the way.

“Mishelle was what I would consider to be a perfect mentor. If she didn’t know the answer, she would always point me in the right direction. She was always there to encourage me, even during the hard times.”

Randy went on to graduate from Marion high school in 2012, and is now a student at Ball State University. To this day, she stays in contact with Mishelle. She is finishing up her senior year as a social work major, and decided to volunteer at Project Leadership to fulfill an academic requirement.

“Being in Project Leadership’s mentoring program was a very positive experience for me. I wanted more hands-on experience, and I felt like Project Leadership’s values aligned well with social work. It just made sense to volunteer here.”

We are happy to have you, Randy! Thank you for sharing your story with us!

If you would like to learn more about our mentoring program, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions of Potential Mentors

By Project Leadership
September 14, 2015
21st Century Scholars,Blog,Mentoring,Volunteer

When we go out to recruit mentors, whether it be at a community event, a school, or a business meeting, our staff fields great questions from potential mentors. In order to spread the word about the Project Leadership mentoring program, we are gathering the questions frequently asked by members of the community, and then answering them here on our website during the week!

A Guide to Staying on Track as a 21st Century Scholar

By Project Leadership
September 1, 2015
21st Century Scholars,Blog,college access,Scholarships

21st Century Scholars in the classes of 2017 and 2018 must complete the State of Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Success Program in order to receive their scholarship. To this end, the Commission for Higher Education has created a new tool called Scholar Track to help students complete the program and track their progress.

Creating a Scholar Track Account

21st Century Scholars can create a Scholar Track account at: https://secure.in.gov/apps/Che/scholartrack/

Scholars will need their social security number and an active email address in order to create an account.

Completing the Scholar Success Program

For both their 9th and 10th grade years, Scholars are required to complete three activities. Some of these activities can be completed while the students are at their computer. Others will simply require students to record the approximate completion date for an activity.

For assistance with setting up your Scholar Track account or completing activities in the Scholar Success program, call Project Leadership at (765) 651-0650.

Celebrating the Difference a Mentor can Make

By Project Leadership
August 31, 2015
21st Century Scholars,Blog,college access,Mentoring,Volunteer

Have you ever been a mentor? Ever wondered about the difference you could make? Read below about how mentoring relationships have impacted the students in our program.

ONE HOUR. ONCE A WEEK. ONE YEAR. TWO CHANGED LIVES.

Dear Jacquie, “Thank you, Mrs. Jacquie, for always being there for me and always giving me good advice. I really do appreciate our talks. I always look forward to our meetings.”— Nichole

Dear Mike, “Thank you for becoming my mentor this year. Also thank you for going out of your way to come see me every Tuesday. I hope we can finish the year great!”— Ramon

Dear Ellen, “Words cannot express all that you have done for me. With everything that has happened to me this year, I’ve really started to think of you as family. You’ve always made sure that I’m doing what I’m supposed to, and accomplish everything that I deserve. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”— Jennifer

Dear Monica, “Thank you for all that you do. You go beyond the call, so words can’t express how thankful I am. My life has changed because someone like you decided to care and love me. You are the best.” —Chasity — Dear Monica,
“Thank you for all that you do. You go beyond the call, so words can’t express how thankful
I am. My life has changed because someone like you decided to care and love me. You are the best.”
—Chasity

Dear Don, “I want to thank you for taking time to meet with me about getting free college. Before this whole Project Leadership came into play, I had no intention of going to college. I already knew I wasn’t going. But now that you’re here helping me and getting everything set up, I know now that I’m going. I know that my future holds more now. Because of you, I’m doing way better in school than I would’ve because I know I have to keep my grades up for college and for a better future. I also want to thank you for taking me to all the games and camps that you’ve taken me to. It was awesome. I don’t get to do that stuff a lot, so thanks. Thank you so much for actually caring and putting in effort. It means a lot.” — Wyatt

Dear Dick, “As I write this, I think about how great my future can and will be. At the beginning, I didn’t think I would change. I also didn’t think I would be able to continue my job as a student. The past couple of years have changed all that, and there are so many things that I want to go to college for. With your help, I can become something I never thought I could. I just want to thank you for that. Thank you.”— Austin

Apply to be a mentor on our website at www.projectleadership.org/apply.

The magic of mentoring is all about the Match!

By Project Leadership
August 17, 2015
21st Century Scholars,Blog,college access,Giving Back,Mentoring,Volunteer

A great mentor match is like any great friendship – based upon mutual interests and commitment to the relationship. But good mentoring matches don’t happen by accident!

The past six weeks have been filled with interviews of prospective new Mentors and Mentees. As our Mentoring Program team, Julie McGee and Monica Rickner, conduct interviews, the goal is to make the best mentoring match possible. They are constantly making notes and sharing observations to make strong matches. Strong matches provide a strong foundation for students and mentors to have an enjoyable and productive mentoring experience, like the one featured in the above photo of Jay McGee with his mentee.

We encourage you to apply to apply to be matched for Project Leadership’s mentoring program. The committment is truly small in comparison to the impact you have. The sooner you apply, the better our Mentoring Program team will be to match you! Apply today!

Be a PL Mentee:
As a 21st Century Scholar, you’ve made a pledge: get good grades, stay out of trouble, and commit to a college education. A mentor is someone who can help provide support and guidance as you work toward your college goals. Project Leadership is currently accepting applications to participate in our mentoring program for 21st Century Scholars in high school. Students in the program agree to meet with their mentor once a week for one year. For more information or to submit a mentoring program application, call 765-651-0650 in Grant County or 765-896-8616 in Delaware County.

Be a PL Mentor and change two lives:
Community volunteers like you are needed to mentor local high school students as they prepare for college. Mentors use their experience and problem-solving skills to support and guide students as they work to reach their personal and academic goals. Training and resources are provided by the program. Mentors make a one-year commitment to meet with one student once a week for one hour at their high school.

One Hour
Once a Week
One Year
Two Lives Changed

For more information on Project Leadership’s mentoring program call 651-0650 or 896-8616.

Education vs. Salary: How learning equals earning.

By Project Leadership
August 10, 2015
21st Century Scholars,Blog,college access

The Grant County Economic Growth Council reports that 60% of jobs in Grant County, Indiana require some kind of training after high school. Sixty percent! More than half!

The chart from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows us just how going to college impacts how much money you earn. What we learn from this chart is: If the jobs require more education, then they likely also pay better, too! So the jobs in Grant County that require training – 60% of the jobs open – require training and pay higher than jobs that don’t require training!

Employers are reporting that they need more workers, but those who are applying don’t have the correct skills. That’s why we believe it’s so important for everyone who is eligible for the Twenty-first Century Scholarship to apply for the program. The Twenty-first Century Scholarship provides the training you need for free. And training can help our young people become the workforce our community needs.

By applying for the Twenty-first Century Scholars program, 7^th and 8^th graders are setting themselves up for a future where their hard work will earn more. Remember: Lower wage workers don’t work less. They simply earn less from their hard work. Training makes your work pay off more!

So please, register your child today! The deadline is June 30 for 8^th grade students to register for the Twenty-first Century Scholarship. Don’t delay!

Are you a community member interested in helping our young people achieve their educational and career goals? If so, consider being a mentor! Learn more at projectleadership.org/apply.