NSB Donates $40,000 to Fund Ongoing Mentorship Program for Oxford Hills and Bethel Students
BETHEL—Thanks to the NorthStar 4-H Youth Mentoring Program, Maine students can face adventure challenges, receive lessons in leadership, and discover the importance of relationship building all to help them reach their highest potential in school and life. For years, Norway Savings Bank has been proud to help many local students benefit from the experience.
This month, NSB was happy to continue that support with $40,000 in contributions to fund the participation of cohorts of students from Telstar High School in Bethel and Oxford Hills Comprehensive Middle School.
The students begin taking part in the program in seventh grade and continue through their high school graduation. The program aims to expand horizons, increase self-resilience, and highlight leadership skills for young people in rural communities, helping students discover passions and purposes while raising academic performance.
“We’re so thankful to NSB for this generous donation and ongoing support of our schools. Our students have access to mentoring, support, and a wide variety of experiences. This opportunity will support the success of many of our learners as they navigate the middle and high school experience,” said Cynthia Remick, Curriculum Director for MSAD #17.
“It’s a model that follows students over a six-year period and, in the process, expands horizons, increases self-resilience, and showcases leadership skills for young people in rural communities,” said Ryder Scott, Executive Director of the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond where the program is based. “We’re so grateful that NSB appreciates the positive impact this experience and the mentors have on young people.”
“It has helped me learn to make new friends in different ways. I have learned many valuable life skills, like how to give a speech publicly without looking confused or nervous,” said one Telstar student. “This program is amazing.”
To learn more about the NorthStar program, visit https://extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/northstar.
