Mayor proclaims Sept. 16-22 'Mentoring Week in San Antonio'

(Sept. 17, 2002)--VIA buses, street banners and bumper stickers bear the call to action that can also be heard in public service announcements by such notables as WNBA official Clarissa Davis Wrightsil to "discover the power of one" by becoming a mentor. At the Sept. 12 City Council meeting, Mayor Ed Garza added his support by declaring Sept. 16-22 "Mentoring Week 2002 in San Antonio."

It's all part of a two-pronged effort led by the UTSA to raise community awareness about the need for mentors for San Antonio's children and to recruit more mentors to the cause. Under the auspices of the UTSA K-16 Initiatives office, the San Antonio: Making Mentoring A Partnership (SA: MMAP) program connects mentors from business, higher education and professional organizations with students from Bexar County schools.

Through the nationally acclaimed mentoring effort, founded by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, more than 21,000 area students have been united with mentors, either one-or-one or in the classroom setting.

"Studies of students involved in a mentoring relationship showed that 59 percent improved their grades," said Richard Diem, vice president for K-16 initiatives and dean of the UTSA Honors College. "Forty-six percent were less likely to use drugs and 27 percent were less likely to use alcohol."

It's statistics such as these -- coupled with positive memories of someone who mentored her during her days playing basketball as a John Jay High School student -- that motivate Wrightsel to lend her support to the "Discover the Power of One" campaign.

"When I dreamed back then of being the best I could be, there was someone there for me… to make sure that I had the opportunity for success in the classroom and on the court. My mentor made all the difference."

Wrightsel has given back by becoming a mentor. She established the TeamXpress Foundation to help girls reach their potential and believe in themselves.

Also featured in the campaign are UTSA President Ricardo Romo, UTSA faculty member Harriett Romo and H-E-B senior vice president Rob Easley. All have stories to share about those whose contributions left lasting impressions.

"One of the best investments for our collective future is time spent with our children. One positive experience or one word of support…one hour of your time can make a powerful impact in someone's life," said President Romo, "And maybe the best part of being a mentor is what you'll get in return," he added.

For more information about becoming a mentor through the San Antonio: Making Mentoring A Partnership program, call (210) 458-2766.

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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FROM MENTORING WEEK 2002 IN SAN ANTONIO

Sept. 16
Reading Day at Margil Elementary
8:30-10:30 a.m. contact: 223-5187
Staff members from the UTSA Office of K-16 Initiatives will read to the children.

Sept. 17
Adopt-A-Hallway at King Elementary
7:30-11 a.m. UTSA contact: Lyssa Garza, 458-2769
King contacts: Ms. Hodge or Mrs. Reynolds, 433-2231

Other Adopt-A-Hallway events scheduled in September-October include:
Hillcrest Elementary - 7:30-11 a.m. Sept. 24 contact: Janie Carrera, 534-3903
Margil Elementary - 7:30-11 a.m. Sept. 26 contact: Sharon Bonilla, 223-5187
Knox Elementary - 7:30-11 a.m, contact: Barbara Jeneck, 533-5521

Under the program, sponsored by the Ford Foundation Academic and Community Collaborative Ensuring Student Success (ACCESS) School-to-College work group, representatives from UTSA and the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) visit local schools to distribute information about the colleges. Students will also be invited to UTSA and ACCD campuses for tours during the year.

The idea is to help students to make an early connection with the higher education opportunities available to them. Burbank High School and its feeder are the focus of ACCESS members' work, which includes motivating students to remain in school and work towards a college degree. In addition to UTSA and ACCD, other ACCESS members are Intercultural Development Research Association, San Antonio Independent School District, Communities Organized for Public Service, and Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

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TODAY'S HEADLINES:

UTSA hosts award-winning writer of Latino children's books
UTSA adds record number of new faculty
Mayor proclaims Sept. 16-22 'Mentoring Week in San Antonio'
UTSA TechConnect Project hosts second-year celebration
Latino Heritage Week continues through Sept. 21
UTSA science researchers study rare West Texas trees
Counseling services announces new support groups

UTSA Today Front Page

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