Each year, students in North Kitsap select mentors in the NK Success Program who had a profound impact on their lives to receive Impact Awards. To show it’s continuing support of this worthy program, the Herald publishes the winning entries from each level. We take our hats off not just to the winners but to everyone who volunteers his or her time and effort to make the program what it is — truly a success.
Jennifer Johnson
In the dictionary a mentor is described as a wise and trusted teacher or guide. Jennifer Johnson not only fits the criteria of a mentor but also a leader, described as one who acts as a guiding force, commander, etc.
Throughout my sophomore year, Jen has been someone that I have been able to turn to no matter what. On the first day of High school Jen was in my leadership class and one of the first to say “Hello.” She did not have to take the initiative to say hello, but made my day and welcomed me to the place where I would spend most of my time for the next three years.
When I discovered she was my success mentor I was thrilled, I was finally going to be in the right place at the right time with someone I knew. She did all she could to make her success group feel at home and safe in this new environment. She brought doughnuts, and talked to us about our grades, friends, family, pretty much life. We played games and told funny stories.
Later into our year, we suffered some losses due to some unknown, horrible sad and terrifying circumstances. Jen was there to give hugs, spread words of hope and wisdom, and mostly to be my friend. At one of our meetings following this incident, she shared some very personal things that made the situation more bearable for all of us. It takes someone so special and caring to give up something so personal to us just so we would understand what was going on and how many people go through horrible stages in their lives.
We thought that the bumpy roads were over, but two days after the first suicidal incident, my grandmother died after a long battle with breast cancer. She could have been a person who said, “I’m sorry” and not be sincere about it, but she wasn’t. She was there for me almost every tear, and helped me through the sad times.
To me she was more than a mentor, she was a true friend who helped me through the struggles and triumphs of high school. Jennifer Johnson deserves this award more than I could express. I will always remember her, and think of her fondly, I just wish I could spend more time with her, but I understand that she needs to move on to the next chapter of her life — college. I wish her the best of luck and may God bless her journey to becoming a successful adult.
Thank you for your consideration, and to Jen your dedication.
Sincerely,
Jenne Jones
Sophomore
North Kitsap High School
Terry Darrow
As I look back on this last year, I realize how grateful I am that there is a Success program. Believe me, I was one who really didn’t think the Success program was anything great, until this year.
I switched into Terry’s group at the beginning of this year. I was looking for something more in a Success group and she was recommended to me. At our first meeting, we talked about stuff that mattered. Advocating for ourselves, graduation, prom, and those sorts of things. And, who can argue with Krispy Kremes? As the year progressed I would see Terry in the halls, lunchroom and in the main office. She was never too busy to take a couple of minutes out to talk to me. Always with a smile and a helping hand.
Then it happened. It hit me all at once like a 50-pound sack of potatoes. I got real sick, a lot of difficult family issues came up, and I began to struggle with who I really was and my self-image.
Terry and I talked on and off about what was going on and periodically she would send me notes and cards and little things to remind me that someone cared. Then one day I broke down. I was so stressed with everything and started shaking and crying. I went to talk to her and for a while, she let me cry. But then what happened next was what made the different.
She let me calm down and then she basically asked, “What now?” I had no idea. There was so much going on and so much was happening I couldn’t think straight. So we sat down with one of her friends, and we sorted everything out. We wrote down what was going on in my life and ways to eliminate or handle the stresses that came with them. This helped me to see what I could and couldn’t control. I may not always be able to control what happens to or around me but I can control how I respond and what my reactions are going to be.
If there was one thing that I did learn overall this year from Terry, it would be how to be a real friend. The dictionary defines a mentor as a wise and trusted guide and advisor. I define a mentor as someone who takes the genuine time to invest in someone who needs a friend. And if you go to my house and pick up the dictionary on my bookshelf, you can see that on page 613 next to the word “Mentor,” I’ve crossed out the definition and in big bold letters put the true meaning, Terry Darrow.
JESSICA WEST
Senior
North Kitsap High School
Nick Pealstrom
I truly believe that my teen mentor, Nick Pealstrom, truly cares about us as students. At every session he asks us what we want to talk about, not what others think we ought to talk about. No matter what the issue is, he seems genuinely interested in our opinions, even if the topic is something that does not concern him. I believe he does everything in his power to fight for the rights of the students. I feel free to present to him all of my problems, whether emotional, academic or social. He effectively uses his intelligence and skills to help me with the struggles I face at school. In order to further assist us, he gave us all his home phone number and personal e-mail address. If I ever feel like I am struggling in any of my classes he is always wiling to help in any way possible. In NK Success I am never bored; there is always something to be done. I never feel like Success is just “another class.” Nick makes it fun.
Nick has never scheduled an activity for us without our consent. If we as students do not particularly want to do an activity he has planned for us we don’t. He does not beg us or try to convince us that the activity could be fun, “If we only give it a chance.” He understands and respects our opinions.
I feel that I am treated as an equal, not an inferior. Nick does not abuse his power and authority, and keeps our personal grades personal. I am confident that anything that I disclose in his presence will remain in confidence between him and me.
On multiple occasions, Nick has helped me outside of school with some of my personal problems. Nick is a great teen mentor, to me and to the rest of the students. Nick is not only my teen mentor, but he is also my friend.
ANDREW MOSER
Sophomore
North Kitsap High School
