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BEST Kids is thrilled to announce that Natalie and Caron have been matched for 5 wonderful months! Building a strong relationship takes time, and the chemistry between them is truly inspiring. Caron, who doesn’t easily open up, has found a patient and dedicated mentor in Natalie. Natalie’s unwavering support and her commitment to ensuring Caron participates in all BEST Kids organized events have fostered a unique and special bond between them. For her incredible dedication and the positive impact, she’s made, Natalie is being honored as our Mentor of the Month for July. Congratulations, Natalie! What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee? Caron and I had a blast at a GSoul (K-Pop) concert in June—a first for both of us! Which was your favorite Peer Group? The BK organized HBCU event at the MLK Library was great! It gave us the chance to connect with other mentors and mentees in the program and to learn more about Best Kids programming. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor? Upon first meeting, people often tell me their whole life stories—maybe I have one of those faces. :) With my mentee, I’m reminded that building relationships takes time. Hobbies: I am madly in love with DC and enjoy finding new places to explore—including nature, museums, cultural events, and art. And fortunately, Caron is a great adventure partner! 
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BEST Kids is excited to spotlight Celina, who has been recognized as the Mentor of the Month for her outstanding commitment to BEST Kids Mentoring. Just five months ago, Celina was matched with her mentee, Saniya. The pair quickly formed a strong bond, spending nearly every weekend together exploring art exhibitions and enjoying the seasonal cherry blossoms at the Capital. These shared experiences have not only deepened their connection but also enriched Saniya’s understanding of culture and community. Celina's dedication extends beyond their weekend adventures. She ensures Saniya participates in all of BEST Kids' events, providing consistent support and fostering an environment where Saniya can thrive. It’s this level of commitment that sets Celina apart as a mentor and why we are proud to honor her this month. Congratulations and Thank you, Celina, for your incredible work and the positive impact you make on Saniya’s life and our community. Keep inspiring! 1. What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee? We explored the National Arboretum together during cherry blossom season. Despite living close by, this was her first time there. While enjoying the scenery, we chatted about the outdoors and discovered we both share a love for hiking. I was very proud that she was up to the challenge of walking all over the arboretum to see the different types of cherry blossoms. 2. Which was your favorite Peer Group? We attended a C3 event on DC Statehood. I felt proud of how much my mentee spoke up in a room full of older kids and participated in the activities. 3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor? Trying to find activities to get her to unplug from her phone, live in the moment, and enjoy wherever we are. 4. What are some of your hobbies/things you like to do in your free time? I like to play tennis, read, try new restaurants, and bake. 5. What is your current Job/Career and what is something you enjoy about your work? I work in TV news and I like it because every day is different! |
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Justyce and Josalyn have been matched for almost a year in BEST Kids, and their bond has grown incredibly strong! Together, they have participated in a variety of events, creating countless memorable experiences. Justyce admires Josalyn's artistic and fashionable spirit and loves seeing her express herself. Justyce has been a vital support in Josalyn's college journey, helping her prepare as she gets ready to leave high school. They have visited schools together and worked on her SATs, making significant progress. From attending community events to engaging in sports and trying out new activities, their weekends have been filled with fun and adventure. Thanks to Justyce's encouragement and support, Josalyn has become more extroverted and confident, thriving as the best version of herself. Congratulations to Justyce for being our Mentor of the Month and making a lasting impact on Josalyn's life! What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee? -My fondest time with my mentee is honestly every time we hang out or get to talk on the phone. If I had to recall one particular time, I’d say it was the first time we ever hung out, got ice cream and toured the botanical gardens in DC - mostly because of how instantly we clicked and how it felt like we had been sisters our whole life. Which was your favorite Peer Group? -My favorite peer group was the outdoor cookout in 2023. That event made me realize how protected and safe Josalyn felt around me. We got to do arts and crafts and walk around the field and bond more. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor? -My biggest challenge I’ve faced is learning when to not be too overbearing and/or protective. I’ve done pretty well so far (outwardly) but I often overthink about things in my head as it relates to her because I just want the best for her. What are some of your hobbies/things you like to do in your free time? -I love doing creative things in my free time like painting, writing, or singing but I equally love being outside and getting active, like working out, hiking, and/or swimming. 
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Wow! It's been almost 8 months since Arlo and Marquis were matched up as mentor and mentee, and they've become quite the dynamic duo! Marquis is overjoyed with the support and guidance that Arlo has been providing him with! They often hang out together after school, whether it's catching the latest blockbuster at the movies or cheering on their favorite sports teams. Arlo's unwavering dedication to ensuring that Marquis has everything he needs to succeed in school and stay connected to all the exciting events at BK has earned him the well-deserved recognition of Mentor of the Month for February. Congratulations, Arlo! Keep being an amazing mentor! What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee? Tough to choose! I think my favorite was the time we went to a restaurant called Bantam King in Gallery Place. It was the first time he had ever tried authentic Ramen, and I just remember how excited he was during the meal. It's priceless to have those kinds of experiences with him. Which was your favorite Peer Group? I think we both really enjoyed going laser tagging. It was a great opportunity to unwind over fun games while spending time with the other great kids in the program. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor? One main challenge has been communication, as he's only 12, at boarding school, and doesn't have his own phone, so it's difficult to check in with him when we are not together in person. It feels like I'm sometimes playing catch up when I do see him, as I'm learning about everything that's going on with him from the past week or two. What are some of your hobbies/things you like to do in your free time? Mostly enjoy watching my Boston Celtics in my free time, along with going out to all the great places to eat in DC. |
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Over the past four months, the bond between Sean and Tyuis has flourished remarkably! Together, they have participated in a variety of events, creating countless memorable experiences. Sean has been instrumental in helping Tyuis explore and identify his hobbies and interests. From attending community events to engaging in sports and trying out new activities, they have made the most of their weekends! Sean’s mentorship has provided Tyuis with valuable guidance, enabling him to discover his passions while having fun. Their time together has not only been enjoyable but also enriching, fostering a supportive and engaging relationship. Congratulations to Sean for being our Mentor of the Month and making a significant impact on Tyuis's life! What’s your fondest memory from spending time with your mentee? -My favorite memory has been rock climbing and bouldering with Tyius. It was fun learning belaying skills, trusting each other not to let the other drop, and challenging ourselves with more and more difficult paths! Which was your favorite Peer Group? -I've only attended a couple, being pretty new to the program. My favorite was learning about HBCUs. HBCUs seem to offer such a great and supportive community that can be so helpful to an undergrad. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming your mentee’s mentor? -Expectation management. I came into the program not sure what my mentee would need from me. Do they need a ton of support? A wise "elder"? Or just someone to hang out and talk with? I also wonder "Am I meeting their needs? Am I failing them?" I am still very early in the program, so I haven't resolved this challenge yet. What are some of your hobbies/things you like to do in your free time? -I spend my free time reading fantasy and sci fi books, training jiu-jitsu, weightlifting, and spending time with my partner and friends. 
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