Susan Glick

Danielle and I just reached a milestone: 10 years as weekly buddies. We met when she was in the third grade, getting used to a new home and a new school in a new town. I was new to mentoring, so we seemed to be a good fit. She was endearing and curious, and we read and played games – mostly “Bananagrams.” Danielle liked words and reading, and I’m a “wordie,” too, and was glad to play that game exclusively, at her request, every week during the school year for at least 8 of our 10 years together. Perhaps our word practice contributed to Danielle’s early proficiency at reading and spelling.

Danielle was involved in music from an early age and discovered the flute when she entered middle school. She loves it and plays other instruments as well. She also has a beautiful singing voice and throughout her school years performed in choruses and musical productions. I’ve had the pleasure of attending those events whenever possible.

As Danielle outgrew her childhood summers, we stayed in touch outside of the school year, meeting for an occasional lunch or visit to a museum, and we even went to a Metropolitan Opera broadcast. Danielle is always good company, and since my own children have been grown up for a long time, I benefit from her youthful point of view.

For me, mentoring is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Actually, it has been a gift. I’ve gained a lovely young friend. I value that friendship and will nurture it going forward. Danielle has reached another milestone: she graduated from York High School with many honors and will go to the University of Maine at Orono this fall. Her goal is to be a math teacher while living a musical life. My graduation gift is a soft snuggly afghan, with the hope that as she wraps it around her shoulders she’ll think of it as a hug from me.