Are you in need of service hours for the National Honor Society (NHS), Tri-M, or any other program?
Well, look no further than SPARKS. SPARKS, which stands for Student’s Potential for Achievement Resiliency Kinship Support, is an after-school mentoring program for academically disadvantaged elementary, intermediate, and middle school students.
“SPARKS is essentially an opportunity for elementary students and middle school students to get mentored by more of an adult figure, from a mentor,” SPARKS advisor Nick Oak said, “It’s just a good opportunity for them to come and get some extra academic support.”
SPARKS occurs in two locations: one at the Calvin Church in Long Lake on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the other at the Maple Plain Community Church in Maple Plain on Mondays and Wednesdays.
At both locations, middle school mentoring lasts from 3-4:30 pm, and elementary and intermediate school mentoring happens from 4-5 pm. Mentors can choose which group, elementary/intermediate or middle school, or both, they wish to mentor.
Mentoring is one-on-one. Mentors build relationships with their students, help them complete their homework, study for tests, and more. These relationships are critical given that participating students often struggle to learn in school. SPARKS gives them a leg up and really makes a difference in their lives.
“Mentors have the power to really make an impact on the students, [who] really love and look forward to working with high school mentors” SPARKS advisor Genna Torney said.
In addition, the program presents an easy, quick way to earn service hours, 4 per week at any given location, to put forth towards honors societies such as NHS, Tri-M, and others.
“You can get some really good hours for NHS or [other honor societies]” Oak said.
SPARKS also offers mentors an opportunity to develop essential leadership skills.
“I think it’s a good way to learn…some basic leadership and role modeling skills. You’re a role model for this student that you’re mentoring, so I think it’s a great way to gain some very valuable experience learning how to lead a student through assignments, how to problem solve, and just grow as a leader” Oak said.
Students can join SPARKS by completing this form and emailing it to Ms. Torney at [email protected].
