"I spent the afternoon yesterday with my mentee, and once I left her, I couldn't stop thinking about how much I absolutely adore her, and I felt that I needed to tell you.

She asked me if we could go to the mall because she needed to buy shoes, so I took her because I needed to do some shopping as well. The entire time I was there, I felt like I was 13 years old again, running around with my friends and my older brother. I was hiding around corners and scaring her, being ridiculous and pretending to "disappear" by hiding in the clothes racks. We had a fantastic time-and at all the places we could have been...the mall :).

When we were walking around, I asked her if she was going to be asking for anything special for Christmas. She said that there really isn't anything she wants, so she's going to ask her Dad to donate anything he would have gotten for her to Hurricane Katrina or Rita. At 14, this girl is amazingly thoughtful, caring, and a true inspiration to the idea that if you want to be a good person, you can be, even if circumstances are difficult. She impresses me every single day and inspires me to continue doing what I love-helping people, especially children.

I now fully understand why I have always wanted to take part in a mentor program... I am extremely happy that I have found EMQ and my mentee who serves as an inspiration to me every single day. And I am even more happy that I have had the opportunity to take a part in EMQ at this point in my life.  It truly makes my education at UCSC even more interesting and valuable, and it makes me respect my education even more than before.

Thank You for helping to enhance my life,
Lauren Terschluse
November 2005

If you want more information about the Mentor Program, call us at (408) 876-4193 or email us at smclaren@emq.org.

Return to the main Mentor Program page.