You probably didn't get wherever you are today by mere luck. Chances are, there was at least one person along the way, whether in your childhood or early adulthood, who took a special interest in you and inspired you to challenge yourself academically, physically, spiritually, or personally.

At Summit, we understand how important it is for every student to receive individual attention from a mentor. One of the most important components of the Summit Summer Olympics Program is the weekly one-on-one advising session that each Summit student has with their Counselor. Counselors focus on developing a friendship with each student on their team in order to get to know them, learn their strengths and weaknesses, and encourage them to set and reach goals.

Mentoring received from a role model has a huge impact on the lives of young people. Here are 3 reasons why mentoring students makes a difference:

1. Friendship & Confidence - Everyone knows what it feels like to be just another face in the crowd. Many students slip through the cracks in classroom settings because they realize that they are anonymous. Students are much more likely to improve when a dedicated mentor develops a relationship with him or her based on friendship and confidence. The trust they build with a mentor motivates them to excel in all of the different areas of their lives.

2. Creates an Atmosphere for Growth in Academics and Virtue - The advice and encouragement that students receive from their mentors inspire them to grow in academics and virtue. Not only do students come to understand the importance of academics in their lives and how it will impact their future, but mentors help them to see that success is also measured by the character of a person. Students are encouraged to grow in virtues like orderliness, honesty, respect for authority, and service to others.

3. Change Really Happens - 90% of Summit parents surveyed say that since coming to Summit, they have noticed either significant or noticeable improvement in their child's attitude and effort in school, study habits, behavior at home and in school, helpfulness at home, and respect for parents and siblings. The mentor influences that each student receives help them to grow in these areas.