Sheppard volunteers honored at SAI appreciation ceremony Published May 14, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- For a mentor, those they teach can show their appreciation in many ways. Maybe observing examples of the student putting those teachings into practice, or watching them reap the rewards of their efforts, or perhaps just seeing those students work to achieve their goals is thanks enough. On May 10 at Washington-Jackson Elementary, mentors for the Student Achievement Initiative program received a thank you in the form of a children's choir, a Mexican folk dance number and a hotdog dinner. The Wichita Falls Independent School District, during its 2nd Annual SAI appreciation ceremony, offered both its mentors and wards a chance to enjoy the fruits of their labors. The event offered not only recognition to those students who'd "graduated," earning a $50 savings bond and a chance at a college scholarship, but also the Team Sheppard volunteers whose mentoring led the students to their achievement. "The volunteers from Sheppard give us extra support in our classes and encourage us to have faith in ourselves," said Melanie Smith, a Kirby Junior High School student. The SAI program offers junior high school and high school students preparation for the next phases of their education. The students take advanced placement classes, take their Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Tests and begin considering colleges. The volunteers act as both mentors and tutors, assisting the students when the classwork becomes too difficult, and serve as role models. "We like to try and catch the students, especially the young men, who were like us when we were young, in need of guidance and someone to steer them in the right direction," said Tech. Sgt. Nathan McCoy of the 366th Training Squadron. Sergeant McCoy was among the Sheppard volunteers who received a surprise certificate of appreciation from SAI, presented to them by 82nd Training Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux and WFISD superintendent Dr. Dawson Orr. A select few of those volunteers even received Outstanding Mentor plaques for contributing many volunteer hours to the program. "I suspect the reason the volunteers are attracted to this program is its spirit of achievement and excellence, the very type of spirit we fight to protect. Thank you for letting us be a part of this," General Devereaux said. The program was initiated in 2003 when Dr. Orr said he noticed some of the students in the school system seemed bored and unchallenged. He set up the SAI in an attempt to keep those youngsters focused on their education. "The trend is that around the sixth grade students decide whether they want to remain serious about keeping their grades up, or let boredom take over and coast through - the route usually taken by their peers," he said. "We want to intervene while their minds are still young and receptive to caring adults, and help them stay on track." Approximately 200 students from the Wichita Falls junior high schools Barwise, Zundy, McNiel and Kirby have gone through SAI, while another 400 are currently enrolled.