From Deseret News archives:
Utah first lady launches teen mentor program
The teen has ignored diet restrictions accompanying juvenile diabetes to fit in. A bone cancer diagnosis spun her into depression and an eating disorder.
But she says she turned her life around before it was too late, improving her grades up and getting involved in school.
"I'm so grateful to be alive," she said. "I can't erase the past, but I can help others not make the same mistakes."
Jones is a prospective "ambassador" in Utah First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman's initiative, "Power in You," unveiled Monday at West Lake Junior High School.
Huntsman describes the program as a statewide, "kid-to-kid, heart-to-heart" teen mentoring program. High schoolers will help junior high kids avoid self-destructive activities, build self-esteem and leadership skills to realize their educational and life potential.
The program is aimed at impressionable junior high school years and seeks to let kids know, from peer sources they might find more credible than adults, that they're not alone, they're strong, and they're cool to stay on the right path.
"You have the (power) in your heart to either make it or not," Huntsman told a group of about 50 students, teachers and administrators gathered in the school's library.
"Power in You" incorporates concepts from the Huntsman-pioneered Bag of Hope program, in which recently diagnosed juvenile diabetes patients get a child mentor and a bag of resources. The program went national through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and was the foundation for a similar program Huntsman created for children diagnosed with cancer or terminal illness.
"Power in You," to be funded by a $180,000 donation from Comcast, will choose as mentors about 20 high school juniors and seniors who have recovered from self-destructive activities or experienced other life challenges.
Mentors will be nominated by educators and named annually by an advisory committee of education, community and business leaders. They will participate in a two-day leadership conference, help develop a DVD and book to distribute to participating schools and record TV and radio public service announcements.
Advisory committee member and Pamela Atkinson believes the program will offer children needed encouragement. "If you mentor a child one hour a week, you can turn that child's life around."
West Lake principal Art Cox says the program will complement his school's efforts to help a diverse student body weather adolescence. He envisions students at neighboring Granger High and his school becoming mentors.
"Junior high school is a tough time for many teens . . . a lonely time," Cox said. "But it doesn't have to be this way."
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com
