'Heroes' program helps teens become mentors
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

LAKEWOOD - The connection between Armand Rook Reyes, 17, who is a senior at Lakewood High School, and Jessica Lopez, who is in the sixth grade at the Clifton Avenue Grade School, was solidified when Jessica recognized Armand, her mentor from Heroes and Cool Kids, outside of the classroom.

Heroes and Cool Kids is a new grant that has been brought to students of Lakewood High School's Pupil Assisted Learning Services (PALS). The high school students have been working with sixthgraders at the Clifton Avenue Grade School and the Ella G. Clarke School.

The $4,000 grant is facilitated through Heroes and Cool Kids, a New Jersey nonprofit that partners former professional athletes with high school students for the purpose of molding them into student leaders and mentors for middle school pupils.

According to information provided by Heroes and Cool Kids, "the athletes train high school students to mentor middle school students on important life skills, including sportsmanship, conflict resolution and positive lifestyle choices highlighting drug, alcohol and tobacco use prevention."

The program is currently implemented in school districts in nine counties across New Jersey and runs from November through May.

Before the high school students enter any elementary school classroom, they must complete three training conferences that teach them how to establish relationships, address issues and offer problemsolving scenarios, and emphasize the importance of avoiding drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

"The goal of Heroes and Cool Kids is to promote pro-social behavior in students and to create a caring and disciplined school climate," according to the information provided.

The program was brought to the Lakewood PALS program by its coordinators Cathy Lee and Toni Ponti as a five-credit high school elective that is focused on service learning.

According to Ponti, out of the 200 students who participate in PALS, 25 are currently involved in this particular grant. Ponti said the students are learning "public speaking and mentoring all rolled into one. It is an incredible program."

She said the students who are taking part in Heroes and Cool Kids are "proactive kids. They are students who have a good handle on right and wrong, and who can act as role models to the younger students."

According to Armand, "the younger students are learning from us, but we learn from them as well. Some of the students see me as a big brother and I am glad to play such a positive and vital role in their lives."

Dean Seda, 17, said his experience with Heroes and Cool Kids has been rewarding. He said he is able to relate to the sixth-graders because he speaks with the younger pupils on their level. Dean said he shares personal anecdotes of when he was bullied and refers to his personal trials to give the younger children guidance.

Shaquinta Bovan, 18, said she shares stories about sportsmanship with the younger pupils. Shaquinta said the experience she has gained through Heroes and Cool Kids has taught her how to speak in public, especially in front of young people.

"These youths are looking up to us.We want to help them go in the right direction," she said.

According to information in a press release, "to date, students have trained with Keith Elias, formerly of the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts, Harry Flannery, former professional football player and current president of the Fellowship for Christian Athletes, as well as athletes from the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and several tennis professionals."

The 25 high school students who are engaged in the Heroes and Cool Kids initiative are scheduled to meet once more with the sixth-graders from the Ella G. Clarke School and the Clifton Avenue Grade School.

During their third and final visit, the student leaders will address the issues of drug, alcohol and tobacco use prevention.