Ridgeview High School is excited to announce the introduction of new Mentor Groups, designed to enhance the student experience and foster a stronger sense of community within the school. These groups aim to provide students with personalized support, guidance, and a sense of belonging as they navigate their academic and personal growth. Each group is led by dedicated faculty members who are committed to mentoring and empowering students, offering them a safe space to ask questions, share experiences, and build lasting relationships.
Ric Garza, a mentor, states, “We (Mr. Cubillo, Officer Barron, and I) felt like there was a need on campus for mentorship. Young men everywhere, and specifically at RHS need to have a plan for their future. Whether it’s college, vocational school, or entering the workforce. Students need to feel that adults in their lives care about them as individuals. The LISTOS (Latinos In Stride To Obtain Success) Mentorship Group aims to begin to address these issues.” Not all students can join the program, the grant that funds the program aims to target Latino male students selected by a nomination process.
Parneet Laut, a mentor, says that, “What inspired me was To empower the community on the campus and to support student thriving and engagement through intentional development of relationships.” The mentor groups organize cultural festivals and events where students can showcase their cultural traditions, food, music, and dance. Invite guest speakers from different backgrounds, and open discussions about cultural experiences. The mentor group addresses cultural issues by letting the students research and learn about their own ethnic and cultural backgrounds which will allow them to better understand their own culture as well as the differences and nuances with their peers.
Amari Amey, a student in BEST at Ridgeview, says that “I love that you learn new experiences and we build a better understanding and community together. He says that what he looks for in a mentor is “Someone willing to talk about something and to ease our stress and to share similar experiences.” He thinks it’s a good thing that there is a lot of involvement for students on campus and there’s a lot of activities to do. One thing that he would like to be addressed in the mentor group is mental illness and opening up and talking about it more. He says that just being able to communicate with people he knows and mentors that can relate to him in the community is good.
