The EDGE has established a mentoring program at the elementary campus and utilizes high school students as mentors. The high school students chosen had turned in applications, had been personally interviewed, and had been through several hours of training. High school students were then matched with elementary students that had also turned in applications with parental permission.

This picture is a small sample of the high school students involved in the school year of 2005-2006. The first activity included "The Monster Bash." All students, elementary and high school, had a name tag with a picture of a monster. The students had to search for their match by looking for the same monster found on their nametag. The students then completed various activities to help them get to know each other. The students had a great time.

High school students volunteered their time weekly. These mentors would meet with their mentees on Fridays and complete relationship questions. After completing relationship questions, they would complete and activity together or play games. One of the fun activities was the "Trust Walk." Mentors were blindfolded and had to trust their mentee while completing an obstacle course on the playground. The pairs then traded their positions and the mentee had to learn to trust their mentor.

The Scholastic Book Fair donated books to the mentoring program. Mentors were able to write a message to their mentees in the books, wrap them and give them as Christmas gifts at a Christmas party.

Money provided through a Lubbock Area Foundation grant was utilized in a Christmas project. The mentees began by creating Candy Grams to show their appreciation to their mentors at Christmas.

The elementary mentees also created Christmas cookie jars for adult mentors and elderly community members. Two bus loads of students sang Christmas carols and gave Christmas jars to forty-eight community members.

Students not only gave a gift and a song; they also gave the gift of smiles and laughter.

After Christmas caroling, the elementary mentees showcased their talents at the Christmas party. The students shared their music abilities by singing, playing the piano, and playing the guitar. Other students conducted a gymnastic demonstration. Students' art work, photographs, and gingerbread houses were also on display. The drama class also performed a skit that had everyone enjoying a good laugh.

The mentoring relationships lasted throughout the school year. High school mentors gave of their time and the elementary mentees were always excited to see their mentors. Some of the other planned activities included going to a Lady Rabbits softball game at the new softball field and spending time with mentors at the U-Turn REC center.

To celebrate the end of the school year. Mentors and mentees attended the amusement park Joyland. It was on this trip that plans to continue the relationship over the summer were discussed.