Mentors are meaningful at Schofield Middle School

Jay'Quan Seigler, a Schofield Middle School student, admitted he was a little nervous Thursday about meeting his new mentor, Shaw Industries executive Kevin Cowart.

Within a few minutes, however, they were talking about sports and other stuff over pizza in the school library, along with other mentors and students.

Jay'Quan soon felt comfortable to stand up before the group and tease Cowart, who sometimes joins his 5-year-old niece for tea parties.

At the invitation of Schofield Principal Jackie Barnwell and other administrators, 18 Shaw Industries managers - including new plant manager Tim Wolf - will mentor sixth- and seventh-grade boys at the school twice a month.

"I love it," Cowart said. "I used to coach Little League ball, and this gives me a chance to work with a young group of kids. Hopefully, we can give them some direction."

As a practical matter, every person has had mentors in his life, perhaps just calling them role models, said career specialist Helen Richard.

"There are always people we look up to outside our own families," she said. "Shaw Industries has helped Schofield in the past, so we called them about helping us go in a different direction. They signed off on it immediately."

Young boys were selected, said Richard, with the hope that the mentors will follow along with them and continue to build bonds and relationships.

"The common bond is that we care and are committed to helping each other," Richard said. "We tell our students that, if they have a good attitude and work hard, there's nothing they can't do."

The project had been set up when Wolf arrived as plant manager about two months ago, he said.

"I thought it was a wonderful idea," Wolf said. "Everybody you see is at a level of management, and they didn't get there by themselves. There were people that positively influenced them to get where they are today. Now we can give back to the community."

Another student, Nick Gordon, said he was happy to meet his mentor.

"It's a great opportunity for me to learn something about Shaw Industries from someone who made it through," he said.

Mentoring is a great way to provide kids with people who want to be interested in them, said guidance counselor Michael Wilson.

"We've got a mixed group of kids," he said. "Some are doing well, but a listening ear for all of them can be very helpful."

As she watched the adults and boys interact, Barnwell said that, at such moments, she's grateful to be an educator.

"The biggest thing that has touched me is what Shaw is doing," she said. "This could be a turning point, and it's great that there are people in the community who are willing to reach out and give their time and talents for these children as they grow into young adults."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.