CHAMPS orientation sessions hope to attract 300 student mentors on Sept. 16 and 17

September 16, 2008

Collegiates Helping As Mentors in Public Schools, or CHAMPS, is a UF organization that provides Alachua County Public Schools with UF student mentors.

This year, the organization hopes to set new records by signing up at least 300 new mentors through their orientation sessions.

Orientation sessions will be held at 8 p.m. on Sept. 16 at Graham Residence Hall Gallery and 7 p.m. on Sept. 17 at the Reitz Student Union Room 287.

Brittany Burkhart, a UF senior and four-year-CHAMPS mentor, said the program opened her eyes and helped her realize that with just an hour a week she could make a positive impact in Gainesville.

“I started mentoring Kiki in third grade and I have stayed with her every year,” Burkhart said. “When I first started, she would get into fights, but at her fifth-grade graduation, she was awarded citizen of the year.”

Because of the impact Burkhart had on Kiki, she decided to get other UF students involved by becoming an executive member of a partner group to CHAMPS called Project MASCOT.

Kelley Kostamo, Partners in Education specialist for Alachua County Public Schools, said CHAMPS is a great, fun way to take a step beyond the atmosphere of UF. The students whom she has worked with make a positive commitment to helping students around Gainesville.

“It’s an easy, fun way to fit volunteering into your schedule,” Kostamo said.

Burkhart said, “I think everyone should get involved. It’s only an hour a week and it will change you. You can be that positive influence in your community.”

To get involved with CHAMPS, contact Kelley Kostamo at 352-955-6900 or Kostamkb@gm.sbac.edu.