BY MATT SCHOOLEY

High school students don’t always spend time with elementary school students by choice.

However, a group of Bow High School students is doing just that, and benefiting from the time as well.

The Junior-Senior Friends Program gives Bow youths the opportunity to spend time with a mentor for about an hour and a half to two hours per week, participating in a variety of activities, according to program director Sue Withers.

“The focus of the mentoring program is one on one, where the mentor is focused only on the child they are partnered with. They play games, go to the library, go play on the playground or whatever they chose to spend their hour or two a week doing,” she said.

Jack Mulvaney was referred to the program by his guidance counselor last year, and was paired up with Tyler Cole.

“I love spending time with my junior friend. We like to play in the gym and be active every time we’re together. I’ve seen Tyler develop in the friendship,” said Mulvaney, who will be a senior this year at Bow High School. “He had some behavioral problems and he’s been able to fix them. It’s great to see.”

Cole’s mother, Dawn Morris has also been thrilled with the program.

“He always looks forward to spending that time with Jack. It’s a safe opportunity for them to get together and enjoy each other’s company. I wasn’t looking for huge changes, but for him to make connections and find someone he could rely on,” she said. “He respects him very much and wants to make sure he pleases him. He is constantly practicing good sportsmanship, which has been helpful.”

Withers said the relationship between the two isn’t only beneficial for one side.

“It’s definitely a win-win situation for both. The junior friends gain a sense of confidence and feel good about themselves. They know someone is there just for them, it boosts their self esteem along with having fun,” she said.

“For the senior friends to know that someone looks forward to seeing them every week and that they are making a difference in a child’s life just by being as friend and spending time with them, they are making that child feel special. It’s a real confidence booster for them, too.”

Mulvaney said he’ll miss his junior friend when he graduates from Bow High School this year, and he’ll miss the lessons he has been able to teach Cole.

“I think the junior friend emulates their senior friend. Not only are you supposed to act like a friend, but guide them in the right direction and teach them right from wrong and act as a good behavior model as well,” said Mulvaney, who also said he helps to ease Cole’s transition to Bow Memorial School.

Withers is most impressed with the time the mentors have to give, despite their busy schedules.

“They are wonderful young people and they obviously have a love for being with children. They want to make a difference in a kid’s life and want to have fun,” she said. “The senior friends are all involved in other activities and they still find time to give themselves to a child who will benefit from spending time with them.”

Carrie Young and Ellie Hahn will also be returning to the program as mentors this fall for their second year. While Withers said two other students are going to be joining as well.

It may be only two hours per week, but Withers knows the importance of the time.

“They just see how they can make a difference in someone’s life and how they can be a very important person.”