Worcester State Student Athlete Mentor Program Wraps Up School Year with Pen Pal Meet-and-Greet at May Street School

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University Athlete Mentor Program (AMP) wrapped up the 2015-16 school year with a meet-and-greet field day at the May Street School last week.

Back in the fall, the Worcester State AMP setup a pen pal exchange with the students of the May Street School. They then wrote back-and-forth to each other throughout the school year on topics of school, hobbies, and sports.

Last week the students had the opportunity to meet their pen-pals face-to-face and have some fun with games such as kick ball outdoors and indoor activates such as board games, coloring, and reading.

"This day is an exciting day for the pen pals and mentors to meet each other,” stated Coordinator of Student-Athlete Support Services, Kelly Downs.  “They write to each other every month about hobbies, likes and dislikes, school ,sports, etc. so they were able to hang out for a couple of hours and do some of those things together.”

"The field day was a great success,” commented AMP Co-President, Allison Baker.  “We had so much fun getting to spend time with our pen pals. They were all so excited to see us! It was great to see how much they look up to us. "

“At the end of the day we try to encourage the students to stay in school and even come visit us next year at our games,” said Downs. 

Once it was time for goodbyes the kids were sad but some were even invited to birthday parties and are going to stay pen pals over the summer.

"Great Kids, Great Mentors, Great Day! A huge thank you to the Worcester State student-athletes,” said 4^th grade teacher, Trish Riley. “They are an amazing group of young adults, such strong role models to our 4th grade students at May St. School."

Worcester State’s AMP will continue the tradition next year and do the same pen pal exchange with another group of 4^th graders at the May Street School. “Our mentors will get new pen pals next year when the new 4th graders move up from 3rd grade but we encourage the old pen-pals to stay in touch," added Downs.