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Juvenile Student Mentoring Offered

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Richard D. L. Fulton

Mount Saint Mary’s University’s (MSMU) Junior Mountaineers Program, a student-founded organization, is seeking to expand the roles it previously played in offering mentoring to individuals trapped in isolation, resulting from the recent COVID pandemic.

According to Michael Hershey, graduate assistant of MSMU’s College of Liberal Arts, the program is seeking to expand its scope of mentoring services and has recently added providing mentoring services to the Lincoln Elementary School in Frederick (not to be confused with the Lincoln Elementary School in Gettysburg).  The group is also seeking to expand the offering of their mentoring services to older students as well.

As an example of the success of the Junior Mountaineers Program, Hershey stated that, in Spring 2022, Lincoln Elementary students were given an MSMU campus tour, had lunch in the Patriot Dining Hall, and were specially invited to practice with the university’s men’s basketball team.

Joe Vince, MSMU professor and the club’s faculty advisor, stated, “We gave the students Junior Mountaineers t-shirts that were signed by the basketball team,” adding, “I remember how excited the kids were. One of the kids said, ‘I am never getting rid of this! These guys will be famous!’”  Vince noted that many kids might not find philosophy and political science all that interesting, “but playing basketball is a great place to start connecting with these kids and teaching them about dedication and responsibility.”

After that initial meeting between MSMU’s mentors and the Lincoln Elementary School students, “mentors now go to Lincoln Elementary to spend time after school or during school events with their mentees.  “Mounties meet at least once a week for 30 minutes on Zoom, or in-person with their elementary student, offering help with homework, teaching life skills. Such as time management, or just chatting as a supportive friend,” Hershey reported.

Sergeant Rebecca Corrado, of the Frederick Police Department, who serves as the resource officer for Lincoln Elementary, stated, “The students tell me first thing in the morning that their mentor is coming today, and the feeling of anticipation truly carries them through the day,” according to Hershey.

Junior Mountaineers Program was formed two years ago by a group of MSMU students who wanted to “bring their community together to combat the loneliness brought on by the pandemic, through a mentoring program,” Hershey reported, adding that the Junior Mountaineers Program prepares Mount students to be role models for elementary schoolers.

“The program, started as a juvenile mentoring program, (but now) is looking to expand to older students, and has expanded (MSMU participants) from a handful of Mount students volunteering with the program to include faculty, staff, and community members,” he stated. 

The program is managed by the MSMU Criminal Justice Student Association.

In fact, MSMU students who wish to participate in the mentoring program have to pass background checks.  “Mount students who apply to be a part of the program go through a background check conducted by the Frederick Police Department,” Hershey stated, adding, “Once they are cleared, they are assigned to a student at Lincoln Elementary in Frederick.”

Yelena Schmidt, president of the Criminal Justice Student Association, said she is “thrilled with the success of the program and the possibilities for the future,” Hershey reported, further noting that Schmidt has been a tutor for three years now and is a head-tutor this year. “She has thrived as a leader in the Junior Mountaineers.”

“Every student is very different. I mentored a couple of students over the years, and they have always loved hanging out with me and telling me about school. It was really nice just being their friend, and they really loved just having someone to listen to them,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt noted that mentorship opens young students’ eyes to the world of possibilities available at an institution like the Mount, as they interface with student-athletes; STEM, liberal arts, business and education majors; artists and musicians, and more.

Junior Mountaineers Program members and faculty.

Emmitsburg High School Alumni Association Holds Annual Banquet

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Executive Committee (from left) Bill Wivell, Alan Brauer, Connie Fisher, Sam Valentine, Joyce Bruchey, and Phyllis Kelly.

Courtesy Photo

On October 16, 2021, members of the Emmitsburg High School Alumni Association (EHSAA) met at the Emmitsburg Fire and Ambulance Building for the 96th and 97th banquet. Due to the COVID pandemic, the 96th banquet was postponed a year. Approximately 150 attended, with a social hour from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Dinner was prepared by Keystone Family Restaurant and served by the Pen Mar Blue Star Mothers.

Bill Wivell, Class of 1966 and president, opened the meeting with the invocation, salute to the flag, and prayer. Teachers from the high school were introduced: Mary Fiery, Betty Ann Hollinger, and Joyce Bruchey. Veterans who served in WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Iraq and Afghanistan Wars were recognized, as well as those who also served their country. Secretary and treasurers’ reports were shared and approved. There was no old or new business.

Scholarship winners and their perspective colleges for 2020 and 2021 were acknowledged by Phyllis Kelly (Class of 1965): (2020) Alexi Baumgardner—Virginia Wesleyan University, Max Bingham—West Virginia University, Grace Blanchard—Frederick Community College, Gage Franz—Wheeling University, Audrie Gadra—Towson University, Molly Knighton—Loyola University, Issac Turner—Brigham University; (2021) Dylan Click—Virginia Tech, Emily Dewees—Hood College, Savannah Morris—Mount St. Mary’s University, Gage Franz—Wheeling University.

The EHSAA has given 95 scholarships for a total of $89,000 since 1994.

The deceased members were recognized with a memorial station, listing the birth year and death date, as well as obituaries collected by Mary Catherine Shields. Alan Brauer asked for a moment of silence in their honor.

Alan Brauer (Class of 1964) was elected president, and Vickie Frushour (Class of1971) will serve as assistant secretary. Phyllis Kelly (Class of 1965) will become vice president.

Treasurer Sam Valentine and Secretary Connie Fisher (both Class of 1964) and Historian Joyce Bruchey (Class of 1962) will continue their roles.

Joyce Bruchey shared a new book available, EHS in The Emmitsburg Chronicle. Newspaper articles were collected from the website established by Eric Glass of the Taney Corporation, “Archives of Emmitsburg Chronicle” from 1879-1918 and 1948-1977. With the help from Mary Mannix, librarian of the Maryland Room at the C. Burr Artz Library, and Joe Jennings, MD Room volunteer, over 500 articles were collected about EHS news.

The honored classes in attendance were recognized by sharing events that occurred during their senior years. Honored classes of 2020 ended in “0” and “5” while those of 2021 ended in “1” and “6”.  Displays with memorabilia from each honored class were assembled. Thomas Hoke (Class of 1940) was the oldest EHS graduate present, and it was his 81st anniversary. The Class of 1950 was the first class required to attend twelve years, thus there was no graduating class in 1949. A new addition, comprising of a gym and cafeteria, began this year. The school newspaper, E-Hi Times, was published for the first time. The Class of 1955 had a class member, Ray Harner, who completed eleven years of perfect attendance. The first discussion about consolidating Emmitsburg High and Thurmont High began during the senior year of the Class of 1956.

EHS girls were the county volleyball champs during the Class of 1960’s senior year. Dr. Morningstar, a well-respected local doctor came to town also. The Class of 1961 experienced the snowiest season in record-keeping history-62.7.” During their senior year, the class of 1965 saw the retirement of a beloved first-grade teacher, Mrs. Leary, and the promotion of a respected shop teacher, Mr. Eugene Woods, to County Supervisor of Industrial Arts. Land was bought for the new Emmitsburg-Thurmont High School in Thurmont and was to be named Catoctin. Emmitsburg PTA asked that ninth grade be included since only tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades were initially proposed. The Class of 1966 dedicated their yearbook to Vietnam soldiers (sold for $3). The student body worked hard to present an outstanding production of The Sound of Music. It was so well received that the cast was asked to perform it at Frederick High. Classes after 1968 graduated from Catoctin High. However, the classes of 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972 have been invited to join the EHS alumni association since they spent at least eight years at EHS. The Class of 1971 is the last class to celebrate a 50th anniversary at EHS. Bobbie Black of Catoctin Mountain Orchard gave apples to all honorees.

Anyone who attended Emmitsburg High School is encouraged to attend the annual banquet and meeting. The 2022 meeting will take place at Emmitsburg Fire and Ambulance building on Saturday, October 15. EHSAA executive committee would like to acknowledge Bill Wivell’s contributions serving as president for six years, and the support of his wife, Rachel.