Stories to Inspire...

Student's Reading Level Rockets at Bresee Foundation

By Jenea Havener, Middle School Education Coordinator

I met Veronica while I was running the Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) program at Berendo Middle School for the Bresee Foundation. She walked into my room, sent by a teacher to finish a test she was working on, and after observing a mentor and mentee working together, asked about how she could get into the program. After that day she was a regular fixture in the HOSTS room after school, though not yet in the HOSTS program itself. After testing her to determine her reading level I found that she was below the level I could accept into my program at Berendo, due to lack of resources, but I knew the HOSTS program at the Bresee site would help her. So we began driving to Bresee nearly every day after school, got her enrolled in HOSTS there, and she became a regular at Bresee.

Veronica was paired with a new mentor, Carrie Talick, to whom she quickly grew attached. It was clear from early on that this was a good match; they both looked forward to seeing each other each week. When Carrie took a trip to Europe, Veronica counted down the weeks until her return. The day Carrie came back from her vacation, she told Veronica all about her trip, showed her pictures, and gave her a few small mementos from each country she visited. This thrilled Veronica. On the same day I had the pleasure of doing the six-month comprehension test with Veronica, and much to my amazement, she moved up FOUR reading levels. I was in shock and kept checking the tests over and over again to make sure. But it was true. And needless to say, this news made their reunion all the more special and exciting. Carrie was shocked, thrilled, and as proud as can be of her gal. And for good reason: Veronica is now only two grade levels behind in reading, and I am sure she will make up that difference in no time. She is a bright girl; she simply needed someone to be there for her to explain things and give her encouragement. HOSTS, along with the dedication and encouragement of her mentor, gave her that opportunity. I look forward to her continued improvement, and to seeing her shine even more in the light of her new knowledge.