Mentors and Mentees Come Together to form bonds

Now in it’s 21st year, the Baldwin High School annual Mentoring Breakfast continued to foster connections between students and staff. With 200 mentors and mentees in the high school Mentoring Program, including students from grades 9 through 12, the program allows students to explain how they’re feeling in a safe atmosphere.

All mentors- that mainly consist of Baldwin faculty and administrators- are trained by MENTOR New York and make a four-year commitment to their mentees, helping to guide them through the uncertainties and changes that can happen during the years of adolescence. MENTOR New York is an organization that “fuels quality mentoring relationships that bring a caring adult together with children in need,” according to its website. 

The Mentoring Breakfast main function is to serve as a venue for Baldwin High School students and their mentors to celebrate the power of mentoring. The annual event was moved from December to March for this year and was held on two different dates to allow for greater social distancing and Covid-19 precautions. The mentors and mentees spent time together, sharing stories and laughs. The mentees also wrote messages of gratitude to their mentors using a special Thank-Your-Mentor-Day card designed by Noelle Nikovics, a senior and Fine & Performing Arts Academy student.

“The Mentoring Breakfast is truly an inspirational occasion thanks to the Baldwin Community Partners that help to make this event possible,” said School2Career Program coordinator and mentor, Pat Banhazl, who has been involved with the Mentoring Program since its inception. 

Students and staff enjoyed the event and cherished the time they were able to spend with one another. Social Studies teacher and mentor, Jennifer Abramowski said, “We truly enjoyed the Mentoring Breakfast. The music and atmosphere was very nice, and my mentee and I had a great time.”

“It was awesome to spend time with my students in a relaxing environment. They all expressed that they wish we could do it more often! I’m already looking forward to next year’s breakfast,” said Alyssa Coiro, who is also a social studies teacher and dedicated mentor.

“It’s heartwarming to see the genuine impact our staff members have had on our students,” added Dr. Neil Testa, principal of Baldwin High School. “It is important to celebrate and acknowledge how meaningful it has been to all involved, particularly as we navigated through so much turmoil and anguish over the last two years.”

Another coinciding annual occurrence was also happening, as this was the fourth year in a row that the Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Ridgewood Savings Bank awarded a grant sponsorship of $1200 for the breakfast. The Baldwin High School wrote of their appreciation of the grant, saying, “The generosity of this grant has been invaluable in the support of the Mentoring Program.”