Claysburg-Kimmel High School recently wrapped up its second year of the Mentoring For Success program at Barneywood Golf Course in Duncansville. The program aims to expose students to different businesses and employment opportunities before high school graduation. Courtesy photo

A group of 24 Claysburg-Kimmel High School students learned a thing or two outside of the classroom this school year.

The district recently wrapped up its second year of the Mentoring For Success program at Barneywood Golf Course in Duncansville, where students reflected on the educational program and suggested future improvements.

To expose students to different businesses and employment opportunities before high school graduation, Richard Allison, founding member of the Claysburg Education Foundation, said students can take career advice from local CEOs and entrepreneurs.

“The more comments you get from different people can help shape your perspective on how you end up in life,” he said.

Allison said his mentor of more than 50 years always had great advice, which was why he kick-started the Mentoring For Success program at Claysburg-Kimmel High School.

He planned to operate the program with a limited budget, adding no burden to the district except transportation costs to businesses across Blair County.

“We weren’t going to let anyone tell us it can’t be done because of funding,” Allison said.

Throughout the year, the student group participated in six sessions held at various locations in Blair County, including New Pig Corp., NPC Inc. and Sheetz.

Allison said the program has expanded, adding new locations to expose students to different types of businesses.

As a result, he said that several participating students at the last mentorship session changed their minds about their intended careers because they said the tours opened their eyes to better opportunities.

About 14 administrators, including Superintendent Brian Helsel, were also present at Barneywood on May 8, sharing their personal mentors and learned advice.

Helsel said that he could personally relate to the students, as he grew up in Claysburg, but wouldn’t have believed that he would one day become the superintendent. However, his youth mentor and wrestling coach taught him about mental toughness, a lesson he continues to think about today.

He took those mental toughness lessons and repurposed them during the last mentorship session, asking the current students how they would respond to defeat and to doubters.

“When you’re lying awake in bed at 2 a.m., and your brain is telling you, ‘you can’t,’ you have to find the resolve to say, ‘I can,'” he said. “That is often what separates successful people from others. Believe in yourself even when others do not.”

While receiving positive feedback from the program, Allison said a few students suggested adding a health care component so those interested can see how hospitals function, which is something they look forward to adding in future sessions.

Allison wants to incorporate more community-based resources as well, restarting the C-K Cares program, where community members can help students with school work.

More information about the C-K Cares program can be found online at: https://claysburgeducationfoundation.org/

Helsel said the program highlights one of the district’s greatest strengths: its people.

“One conversation, one mentor, or one experience can completely change the direction of a student’s future,” he said. “Our goal is to make sure students see opportunities beyond what they may have imagined for themselves.”

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.