Mentoring program holds awards picnic

Kayne Pyatt, Herald Reporter
Posted 8/20/19

NextGen Mentoring honors outstanding program participants

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Mentoring program holds awards picnic

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EVANSTON — The 2nd annual awards picnic for the NextGen Mentoring program was held on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the Bear Ponds. Approximately 70 mentors, mentees and family members attended. The program’s theme for 2019 was “Today I will be my own Superhero,” and posters of superheroes with inspirational quotes were placed on the walls in the pavilion. 

Bethany Shidler, program coordinator, was moderator for the evening’s event. She began by thanking the program’s sponsors for 2019, including Shopko, Francis Dental and the Office of Juvenile Justice Department and Prevention. Shidler thanked the mentors for giving of their time to empower youth.

“Being a mentor is doing the right thing just because it’s right,” Shidler said.

Prior to the picnic, mentors and mentees each had an opportunity to nominate their partner for an award. Shidler announced the winners and gave out the awards. 

Mentee of the Year was Kadian Handy. Handy’s mentor, Gary Welling, wrote in his nomination that “Kadian had made great strides with being social and being around others. He has been a great communicator and responded to texts and phone calls. I have enjoyed our time together and always look forward to our conversations.”

Mentor of the Year Dan Shidler was nominated by his mentee, Deacon Johns. Deacon wrote, “Dan has shared his time and family with me. He is a positive role model in my life. He has taught me how to fix cars, build things and use many different tools. We have gone on fun outings.”

The award for Match of the Year went to Tami Stoddard and Jaylynn Watson. Tami wrote that Jaylynn makes her feel important and really cares about her. She said that Jaylynn is an inspiring and upbeat person and a great example to all.

Bethany Shidler announced that the program theme for August 2019 to September 2020 will be “Stay True to Yourself.” 

“I asked myself, ‘What is the purpose of this program?’ It is to learn how to be true to yourself and not be swayed by friends to do things you don’t want to do or you know are wrong,” Bethany Shidler said. “I have a gift for each of you, mentors and mentees. It is a compass, and like a compass that stays true to the north, you must stay true to yourself.”

Shidler asked each member to come up and receive a certificate for the completion of the year’s program and pick up their gift.

Following the award ceremony, the participants enjoyed a hot meal prepared in Dutch ovens by Austin Bunot and Rhett Billree. The meal consisted of barbecued chicken, potatoes, green beans, and peach and apple cobbler. 

A special treat for mentors and mentees, provided by the NextGen Mentoring program, was the opportunity for free boat rides with Evanston Parks and Recreation staff. 

Bethany Shidler reported that the NextGen Mentoring program now has 31 mentors and only three mentees on the waiting list. Shidler said she is very pleased with the support of the Evanston community. She is attempting to find a coordinator in Bridger Valley so the program can expand and grow.