Hi everyone,

My name is Arielle Lawrence, and I’m excited to start this petition to bring the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to Somerset Academy. Imagine the difference we can make when we connect with young students to inspire, guide, and support them in their journeys. It's about creating meaningful relationships, fostering personal and academic growth, and making a real, positive impact on our school community.

Please do not be mistaken, this initiative is NOT like Empower Me or Panther Pals. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS) is an outside, non-profit mentoring organization that pairs adult or youth volunteers ("Bigs") with kids and teens ("Littles") to foster meaningful relationships, boost self-confidence, and support personal growth. Through its specialized High School Bigs program, high school students are paired with younger elementary or middle school children within their local school district. High schoolers meet regularly with their Littles typically after school to help with homework, play games, and serve as accessible, everyday role models, creating a mutually beneficial partnership that builds leadership skills for the teenagers and  guidance for the younger students once a week.

Launching a chapter at our school offers advantages for our student body such as standout college applications, community service hours(TWO SERVICE HOURS A WEEK), leadership, networking, scholarship opportunities, and a sense of purpose. 

We’ve already gotten Dr. Montero’s encouragement! Now we’re calling on high school to support this vital initiative. The benefits of mentorship are not only felt in academics but extend to personal development, emotional resilience, and community engagement. By bringing this program to our school, we can nurture a brighter future for all students.

Please take 30 seconds to sign and share this petition. Together, we can make Big Brothers Big Sisters a reality at Somerset Academy and change lives for the better. Thank you!