In Case You Missed It

Mentor-Sponsor Kickoff Event

Our Mentor-Sponsor Kickoff Events brought together numerous dedicated Mentors ready to guide and champion their Scholars through their senior year and the college application process. In two identical sessions (August 7 & August 16), the LINK team talked with our Mentors about the Scholars’ senior year journey and introduced our new College & Career Counseling curriculum. Mentors also explored the power of mentoring, learned best practices for building strong Scholar relationships, and engaged in self-reflection to prepare for a meaningful and impactful mentoring experience. For our amazing Mentor-Sponsors, it was a special time to get equipped, get connected, and get inspired. The energy, commitment, and passion in the room set the tone for a truly transformative year to come!

A New Model, A New Milestone: Mentors Join Scholars on the Road to College

We kicked off our mentoring season with a magical Mentor & Scholar Match Event on September 4. This year marks an exciting evolution of our model: Mentor-Sponsors will walk side by side with their Scholars through the entire college application and admissions process, providing guidance, encouragement, and career insights during this pivotal senior year.

New and returning Mentor-Sponsors were officially paired with their Scholars and began building the relationships that will help shape their Scholars’ futures. The energy in the room was full of hope, excitement, and commitment to supporting Scholars as they prepare for life beyond high school.

Here’s what some of the participants had to say about the evening and their role in the Mentor/Mentee relationship:

Scholars (Mentees):

Kenzie White-Vontayes (Senior, DeLasalle Institute)
“I’m very excited because I’ve never had a mentor. All my other friends have been able to experience that. I’m really excited, because it’s good to have someone else to talk to and go to for advice. I really think it’s good to have someone I can trust. I want to ask them what they think my next step should be and what is something I should do that would help my future.”

Terry Smith (Senior, Brother Rice High School)
“I hope my mentor can help me make connections. I want to ask them how they got to where they are now—and if they could go back in time, what would they change.”

Mentor-Sponsors:

Dimitri Wilder
“I understand the importance of networking and relationship building. Mentors gave me inside knowledge about job hunting and corporate America, and I would like to bring that same level of experience to the next generation. As I get to know my Mentee, I hope to learn about what makes them happy, what makes them motivated, and what makes them driven. Hopefully I can provide the tools necessary to help them succeed in all aspects of life.”

Nick Johansson
“This is my second mentoring experience. The more formal mentorship that I’ve been doing through LINK is just a continuation of the informal mentoring I’ve done through other programs where I’ve brought on interns to different work programs. The most rewarding part of my career has been helping people get started on their own. One thing mentoring has taught me is just how many good mentors I’ve had in my life, and I’m just so glad I can pay that forward.”

Troi Sharpp
“What really inspired me to become a LINK Mentor is that I had a mentor when I was a Lynx scholar who was also an alum. Just seeing someone give back like that, someone who had been in the same program as me, really inspired me to do this myself when I was in the position to do so. I’m looking forward to getting to know my mentee and really learn what they’re looking to get out of this year and what’s most important and top of mind that I can help them out with.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us in launching this journey. Here’s to a year of shared milestones, big wins, and celebrating every step on the college application journey!

Mentor/Scholar White Sox Night

Thanks to a generous donation of tickets from the Chicago White Sox, our Mentors and Scholars enjoyed a fantastic night at Rate Field on Tuesday, September 16, as the White Sox took on the Baltimore Orioles. The Scholars and Mentors who attended had a special opportunity to engage in conversation and continue to build the relationships that will support Scholars through their senior year of high school and the college application and decision process. We will continue to sponsor events throughout the year so Scholars and Mentors can enjoy a variety of experiences together. Scholars and Mentors, be on the lookout for upcoming events!