MONROE - It can be difficult to determine who benefits the most from the Big Brothers Big Sisters after school program at Monroe High School.
It might be the "littles," the elementary school students who come to the High School every Wednesday for tutoring and a chance to play games with high school students. It might be the "bigs," the high school students, who are greeted with smiles and hugs from their young friends.
In reality, both benefit from the program.
Once a week, 44 "littles" spend about an hour with 39 "bigs" at the High School.
They work on homework for about 20 minutes and then play games, talk and maybe eat a snack. It gives the "littles" some extra help with their school work and the "bigs" a chance to make friends, too.
Bujar, 8, worked with Elaina Genthe, a junior, Wednesday.
"I really enjoy doing it," Genthe said.
This is the first year she volunteered for the program. She heard about it at the beginning of the school year and decided it was something she would like to do.
Bujar said he and Genthe work on math, most of time. It's not one of his best subjects in school, he said.
But it's more than just homework.
"She's a pretty good friend," Bujar said.
Amanda Padulla, Cecilia Quintana and Katlin Paige, all sophomores, said they signed up for the program because they like helping younger kids.
They waited in the M Room at the High School for the kids to come over on school buses. When they saw their young friends they were greeted with smiles.
"I hope they like seeing us every week," Quintana said, with a laugh.
Shannon Kaszuba, of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Green County, said Monroe is just one of the districts in the county with the mentoring program. The after-school program also is available in Albany, Juda, Brodhead, Monticello and New Glarus.
All that's needed to take part is a willingness to help and make a difference in someone's life, she said.
"They (the students) are able to interact with each other. That's important," she said.
Each fall the programs looks for high school students who want to tutor and just be with younger children. Anyone can sign up.
Kaszuba said the group tries to pair up the same "littles" and "bigs" every year to keep them together. Some of the high school students have been involved with the program throughout their four years in high school.
More information about the program, or to volunteer, is available at www.bbbsgreen@tds.net or by calling 325-7855 or 325-3106.
It might be the "littles," the elementary school students who come to the High School every Wednesday for tutoring and a chance to play games with high school students. It might be the "bigs," the high school students, who are greeted with smiles and hugs from their young friends.
In reality, both benefit from the program.
Once a week, 44 "littles" spend about an hour with 39 "bigs" at the High School.
They work on homework for about 20 minutes and then play games, talk and maybe eat a snack. It gives the "littles" some extra help with their school work and the "bigs" a chance to make friends, too.
Bujar, 8, worked with Elaina Genthe, a junior, Wednesday.
"I really enjoy doing it," Genthe said.
This is the first year she volunteered for the program. She heard about it at the beginning of the school year and decided it was something she would like to do.
Bujar said he and Genthe work on math, most of time. It's not one of his best subjects in school, he said.
But it's more than just homework.
"She's a pretty good friend," Bujar said.
Amanda Padulla, Cecilia Quintana and Katlin Paige, all sophomores, said they signed up for the program because they like helping younger kids.
They waited in the M Room at the High School for the kids to come over on school buses. When they saw their young friends they were greeted with smiles.
"I hope they like seeing us every week," Quintana said, with a laugh.
Shannon Kaszuba, of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Green County, said Monroe is just one of the districts in the county with the mentoring program. The after-school program also is available in Albany, Juda, Brodhead, Monticello and New Glarus.
All that's needed to take part is a willingness to help and make a difference in someone's life, she said.
"They (the students) are able to interact with each other. That's important," she said.
Each fall the programs looks for high school students who want to tutor and just be with younger children. Anyone can sign up.
Kaszuba said the group tries to pair up the same "littles" and "bigs" every year to keep them together. Some of the high school students have been involved with the program throughout their four years in high school.
More information about the program, or to volunteer, is available at www.bbbsgreen@tds.net or by calling 325-7855 or 325-3106.