The program has been great for the Mary C. Snow After School Program. I have seen students who have trouble making friends look forward to seeing their Elevator. I have seen students who are insecure in school work become more involved with others and their school work.

Attendance to our after school program has even improved. I have other students asking if they could have a mentor. Parents and teachers will beg for their child or student to get an Elevator! Here are just some of the ways our students at MCS have been impacted:

5th grade student: He has been part of after school for three years and I have never seen him smile so much and be so confident. This student struggles in school with completing work as it tends to be hard for him and he struggles with making and keeping friends. However, he has smiled more, completed more homework and attended more after school days - he even stayed at after school extra days to be with his Elevator.

3rd grade student: The student has trouble getting along with others in and out of class, she has trouble making and keeping friends. She has had more positive interactions with others and more importantly has shown growth in self control when it comes to lashing out or back at others. Before her Elevator, I rarely saw the student smile during school or after school. On the days her Elevator comes and while they are together, the student is always smiling.

4th grader: The student loves his Elevator and his Elevator has met some of his family. The family LOVES the Elevator as they are so encouraged to hear him speak positively about something. The family will text me and come later to ensure the Elevator has "all the time".

2nd grader: The student is one of 7 children in the home and having a little extra attention is just what he needs. In fact it is because of this student that everyone knows about the Elevators program! He tells everyone about it!

4th grader: This student has only one friend and struggles to interact with her friend and others appropriately sometimes. She has made more friends and has become more social. Mom is happy to have a mentor for her child and is always asking if her Elevator is coming. Student has come to the after school program and stayed longer because she likes her Elevator.

2nd grader: This student is smart, talented and knows it. He will ask several times during the week if his Elevator is coming and even if he gets the days mixed up when they are to meet he will become upset. One time his mother walked "football" gloves over to school because he said he had to have them for when his "Elevator" came. He will often get in trouble for not listening to adults, but he is getting better at that. He loves to spend time with just his "Elevator" and his mother loves it too.

2nd grader: This student will plan her entire week around her Elevator. She will arrange her schedule to ensure she has her music lesson, dance team, and time with her Elevator. Her Elevator came to the Winter Concert and watched her play the violin. She tells everyone what fun they have and will invite other students to join. Everyone she tells wants to meet her Elevator, including adults.

-Natalie Blevins, After-School Coordinator