Bethpage High School athletes returned to their elementary school roots on Dec. 5, bringing mentorship and inspiration to fifth graders at Charles Campagne School through the Athletes Helping Athletes program.
The program creates a unique full-circle moment as high school students mentor young athletes at the very schools where their own educational journeys began. All of the Athletes Helping Athletes mentors at Charles Campagne are former CCS students themselves, establishing an immediate connection and relatability with their fifth-grade mentees.
The Athletes Helping Athletes initiative will extend beyond Charles Campagne to include Kramer Lane and Central Boulevard elementary schools as well, with each location staffed by Bethpage High School students who attended those respective schools.
The high school mentors, ranging from grades 10 through 12, aren't just any volunteers. They undergo a rigorous selection process and receive specialized training from Adelphi University's sports management program to ensure they're well-prepared for their mentoring roles.
During the first session at CCS, mentors focused on building genuine connections with their mentees while establishing a theme of personal growth through athletics. Fifth graders were divided into small groups, each guided by two high school mentors who shared personal stories of overcoming challenges through sports and demonstrating good sportsmanship both on and off the field or court.
The mentors positioned themselves as accessible resources for advice and guidance, particularly as the fifth graders prepare for their transitions to middle and high school. Icebreaker activities helped break down initial barriers and set an enthusiastic, positive tone for the program ahead.
Throughout the session, mentors emphasized that athletics serves as more than just competition – it's a vehicle for personal and social development, and most importantly, it should be enjoyable.
The inaugural mentoring session concluded with fifth graders feeling inspired and energized about their journeys in both athletics and education. With two more sessions scheduled, both mentors and mentees are eager to continue building these meaningful relationships while exploring topics designed to support the young students' growth and development.
