For some people, the idea of meeting with a student every week is an overwhelming commitment that they can’t imagine fulfilling. For others, mentoring is something to squeeze in if you have time every now and then. Each summer, after all of the visit hours have been submitted, I start to wonder if we’re asking too much, if it’s even possible to reach the standard we expect from our mentors – to support and encourage one student once a week for one hour for one school year.

But then I think of Lara Foronda and Robert Ontiverdes and I know it is possible. Lara is a full time employee at the Texas Water Development Board. Robert is a 2009 graduate of McCallum High School who is attending Texas State University this fall. They have been working together for eight years.

Lara: Every year since the 5th grade, pretty much. Once a week for an hour.
Robert: Once a week, every week. For the entire year. For eight years.
Robert puts a heavy emphasis on “every” and they both laugh.
Lara: Except for summers!

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