January 16, 2026
Year after year, our high school students step up in bigger numbers, and we cannot begin to tell you how proud we are of all of them.
January is National Mentoring Month, and as we do every year, we want to take a moment to congratulate all of our mentors around the community, particularly our students, who take part in this special YSS program. And, of course, we must also give a huge THANK YOU to Gilbert Mentor Facilitator Kristi Leyva, who has led the rapid growth of the program over the past few years.
A quick look at the growth in recent years:
- 2023-24: 12 high school mentors
- 2024-25: 25 high school mentors
- 2025-26: 35 high school mentors and 53 mentoring matches from all of our mentors
To give back in this way, to help shape the growth of some of our younger students, it’s special. It shows character, and it shows leadership. All of our mentors should be extremely proud.
Our high school students who currently take part in this program include: Aidan Rash, Allison Grandgenett, Ava Witek, Avery Wilson, Ayden Shaw, Billy Terrones, Cam Zehr, Chloe Wang, Cole Crawford, Connor Mattson, Easton VanCleave, Ethan Rash, Evie Christenson, Gabe Hicks, Hudson Stephens, Isaac Becker, Joey Pyfferoen, Jordan Martinek, Katie Sniezek, Keaton Hanson, Klaire Grove, Kody Koerner, Korben Wirth, Kyler Grooters, Landon Witek, Lily Shedarowich, Mason Griffin, Matt Zoz, Micah Leyva, Natalia Casanova, Nick Hock, Tate Larson, Tayton Warg, Trent Wesselmann, and Tyler Jerkins.
If you would, please take a moment to join us in congratulating all of these students!
