Sustained Mentoring Program group at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia. Adults from left are Jesse McCurdy, Dr. Evan Glazer (principal at the time), school counselor Andrea Smith and mentor Joan Hughes.
are former high-ranking officials—admirals, generals, and members of the Senior Executive Service. “They make the time to do it,” said McCurdy of the
retirees. Three hours before the glitz of the BEYA dinner, hundreds
of students are connecting with and being advised by leaders in the military and government. The Pre-Dinner Mentoring Program, which began in 2011 with about a hundred students and mentors, now brings together approximately 400 students from Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia and 200 mentors, According to Anthony Winns, chairman of the Mentorship
Committee and a founder and a member of the Stars and Stripes Committee, for two hours the students attend different sessions in which they hear from the mentors in group as well as more personal settings. One session is similar to speed dating in which students rotate from mentor to mentor getting advice about career paths, overcoming challenges, courses to take in college, and more. Another session gives the students the opportunity to approach and have a discussion with any of the mentors. “This mentoring program provides an opportunity to
influence our youth across the country to continue to be successful in life,” said Winns. Oftentimes a mentor and mentee will have a special connection that will extend beyond the event. That happened for Winns, a retired vice admiral, when he
met a 10th grader one year. Winns took the student under his wing and mentored him, and eventually the student interned at Lockheed Martin, where Winns currently serves as chief executive, Middle East and Africa Region. The student now is
www.blackengineer.com
“Supporting young people is an ambition that many organizations claim. BEYA Stars and Stripes doesn’t just make the claim; it has a two-pronged approach to providing young people with meaningful guidance through mentoring.”
a high school senior with acceptance letters from five colleges and an interest in becoming an aeronautic engineer. “He’s going to do great,” said Winns proudly. “He’s a rising
influencer in this country. He points out that the mentors represent a broad spectrum of careers, including military personnel, astronauts, NCIS leaders, comptrollers, government officials, and representatives of the departments of agriculture and energy, CIA, FBI, and others. Looking back to the program’s early days, when the first
program had 75 students and 35 mentors, Winns is pleased with its progress and the work done by a committee of 10 dedicated volunteers.
“I think the program has evolved; 2018 will be our eighth session,” said Winns. “We have been making a difference.” S
WINTER 2017 I USBE&IT 19
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