Great Falls high school mentor program aims to provide positive role models

Freshman Chris Wilson wants to get organized and he wants better grades.

Retired Air Force pilot Bill Wiseman wants to help him.

The two men met at C.M. Russell High School on Tuesday for the first time as part of a new adult-student mentoring program launched in Great Falls this year.

"Students who have mentors are less likely to drop out of school and they aspire to have better grades," said Liz Lee, community involvement coordinator for Great Falls Public Schools.

Through the program, called Excel Mentor Program, Lee has matched 30 high school students with adult mentors. Ten students still need mentors.

Lee paired up Wilson and Wiseman because Wilson aspires to be an Air Force pilot and Wiseman is a retired pilot.

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EXCEL Mentor Program

At least 10 high school freshmen still need mentors, said Liz Lee, community involvement coordinator for Great Falls Public Schools.

Volunteers must be caring, dedicated role models interested in helping young people reach their goals, she said.

They should be able to commit to spending an hour every week with a student for the rest of the semester.

To volunteer call (406) 268-6003.

Also, if you know of a student who could use a positive adult role model, contact Lee for a referral form at (406) 268-6003.

1100 4th ST S

Great Falls,MT 59405

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By KEILA SZPALLER
Tribune Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060216/NEWS01/602160305/1002