LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Seniors in the DECA program at Lima Senior High School hosted their annual “Spartan Fest” as part of the Big Spartans Little Spartans mentoring program.
Throughout the school year, DECA seniors are paired with students from Unity Elementary School. The high school mentors visit once a week to eat lunch with their mentees, lead social and emotional learning activities and help with homework.
As part of Spartan Fest, the Little Spartans visited Lima Senior to have lunch in the Spartan Cafe and take part in games and activities planned by the seniors. The program, which began 19 years ago, partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide consistent mentorship for elementary students.
“It’s about consistency. A lot of these kids have adults that aren’t always reliable and aren’t always there for them. Every week, when the bigs show up, they’re excited. They know that big is there for them. They know they’re given special attention and time, and it’s just somebody that they can count on in their lives that maybe is missing in their home lives,” said Chrissy Hood, DECA adviser at Lima Senior High School.
“Especially for kids that are considered at-risk in our community, it’s really important that we give them the chance to be treated like kids. And having the opportunity to have a mentor, someone who can relate to you that has been in your shoes before, that’s a great opportunity for us and for them as mentors and mentees,” said senior Eliot Spallinger.
“They’re our future, and we kind of give them that guidance and being there with their mentor, we give them key tools and key necessities that they can use in their life to help them along,” said senior DeAnna Callahan.
Before the Big Spartans graduate, they will walk in their caps and gowns through Unity Elementary to say goodbye to their Little Spartans.
