TeamMates volunteers appreciated

The Kimball TeamMates Mentoring group hosted a dinner at the Kimball Jr./Sr. High School the evening of Thursday, Nov. 5 to show appreciation for the many program volunteer mentors in the community program.

TeamMates Mentoring Program was started in 1991 by Tom and Nancy Osborn and the program was implemented in Kimball in 2004 by then principal Chad Denker. Currently, the president of the Kimball chapter is Terry Boulier, who serves with ten board members and a group coordinator, Carolyn Montgomery.

Kimball serves 35 junior and senior high school students this year who are paired with area mentors.

"We would like to encourage others in our community to become mentors," stated board member, Linda Mihm, "it's a wonderful program."

During Thursday evening's event, Joe Fennell stood up with his mentee of six years, Kimball senior, Trent Rutledge and they shared with the gathering some of the many things they have both gained from the program.

Rutledge stated that he has really enjoyed the TeamMates program. "I know the kids that have been in the program, have really appreciated it." He also shared that his favorite activity during his six years in the program has been the college football games the group has attended en masse, such as the upcoming outing to Chadron State College planned for the Nov. 14 football game.

Fennell shared that in addition to spending personal time with Rutledge, he always felt it was important to also be at Rutledge's sporting events and other school activities in a show of moral support over the years.

Fennell served on the groups' board for three years prior to becoming a mentor for the six years.

The goal of the program is to see youth graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education through encouragement from the mentor. Mentors are volunteers from the community who have the desire and time to dedicate themselves to making a difference in an individual student's life; to give them a sense of hope and belonging.