ACE students can mentor high school students as part of the program’s emphasis on mentorship. The following ACE students shared their experiences as mentors:
Amira Mahomed '23
While working with ETS/UB, I have been allowed to contribute in several ways. I first began holding workshops exposing the students to my field of interest, dentistry. Later, I began mentoring as part of the mentorship program to answer the students' questions about college. Finally, I began hosting STEM workshops to expose the students to STEM by conducting experiments. I have worked with ETS/UB for two years.
I was motivated to work with ETS/UB after Mr. Neal introduced it to us because I am very passionate about supporting students in pursuing higher education. In high school, I struggled to find resources to become a competitive college applicant, and I wanted to support the students in the way I needed support at their age.
Participating in this program allowed me to give back to students about a cause I was passionate about, helping them pursue high education. In addition, I enjoyed seeing the students grow and become more confident over time. It was also a pleasure to work with Dr. Carla Camacho, who allowed me to volunteer in any capacity that I want to and start the mentorship program.
Lauren Hehr '23
When I joined ACE in August 2020, I was immediately provided with numerous opportunities to get involved and help my community. Because of the substantial support I received from my college counselor during my transition to college, I was motivated to be a mentor to other college-bound students. I joined Upward Bound (UB) as a mentor from August 2020 to May 2021, where I was matched with a high school senior. My mentee and I would FaceTime 2-3 times a month and had weekly check-ins via texts as we navigated through her senior year of high school, college applications, and the
transition to college. Following this opportunity, I continued as a mentor for Education Talent Search (ETS) where I currently mentor high school students. Through ETS, I help provide and facilitate monthly group workshops on college life, study skills, the college application process, and financial aid/scholarships. This mentor experience has been truly rewarding, meeting bright and passionate first-generation students, listening to their stories, and providing the support they need during a critical time in their lives. Thank you to ACE for these amazing opportunities.
Daisy Huerta '23
During the UB program, I have done workshops with other mentors to share my experiences on college experiences such as college dorm life, the hardest classes I have taken, research, and financial aid. I have also led my workshops in which I have discussed different health careers and college requirements, and extracurriculars that would make students strong candidates in a given type of healthcare program. I have assisted in this program for about 1 ½ years.
As a first-generation student, I have had difficulty finding resources and mentorship, especially in high school and at the beginning of my college career. Therefore, I wish to help high schoolers in similar situations and be a resource. In addition, I enjoy sharing my experiences as a pre-medical student so they can understand what to expect in college and if they wish to pursue graduate or professional schooling.
The benefits of participating in the program are building a sense of community with the mentors and students. Ms. Camacho, the one who leads these workshops, is also very kind and great to work with in this program. Overall, the program has been really great in meeting new people while sharing my experiences and helping the youth.