Impact on Mentors:
YWSC Mentors' Comments on their Experiences
"Overall, I had a life changing experience. I became a part of something that was more moving and inspirational, and I grew as a person and as a student. I am so grateful to have been given this wonderful opportunity. This club has inspired me to further my volunteering in the community." – Melissa Sterk
"This journey as a mentor has been incredible. I’ve learned a lot about myself, history and random facts, the process of feminism, and how to interact with others. It helped me realize what I’ve been missing in my life because I have not participated in several community service events since high school. This experience has also brought out my more passionate side about women’s positions in society and I’m at a point where I’m considering picking Women’s Studies minor." – Tuongri Tran
"This program is changing lives. Whether we see it today or not, it is making a difference. This is why community activism and programs like the YWSC are so important because if we do not do it, then who will?" – Alexa Martz
"…Whether or not I take the other 341 class, I want to continue to be a mentor with the Young Women’s Studies Club next year. I feel as if I got just as much out of my experience with the YWSC, if not more, than the girls I mentored, and it was a semester of growth, something there is no going back from." – Rachel Dexter
"Together with encouragement and perseverance I have learned acceptance. There are many different kinds of people in this world, different in color, orientation, and gender, among many other categories. While I have been in this club I have learned that everyone struggles to be accepted and if we are not part of the solution, we might be part of the problem." – Javier Suarez
"Being empowered and being able to empower others is what feminism is all about and I made an effort to convey that every moment of my volunteer experience. Being able to appreciate every woman, as an individual, is another aspect of class that was helpful in my volunteer experience. With Y.W.S.C. being so diverse it’s important to create an environment where every girl is able to tell her story and feel appreciated as an individual." –Kim Newman
"I have also learned that I am a good person and someone that people can look up to. Before coming to this Club I felt like I didn’t do anything productive or worthy, but after talking with my Hoovers they admire me just for being in college and having a job. I believe YWSC has helped to raise my self-esteem also." – KD DeSelms
"With YWSC, we serve to instill that motivation and encourage high school students to care about their futures and the world around them. Seeing us care about women’s issues and care to share our knowledge with them creates a positive experience between all of us." –Krista Sutera
"A student in the Club that I worked with seemed to be interested in art, but also seemed he never had the means or time or support to explore it. After working on a project within the club it gave him the tools and outlet of expression. He may not have taken the risk of expression through art if it wasn’t for the supportive environment around him." – Jenny Lane
"This experience also changed my perspective of what it means to be a feminist. The class and this community service have shown me that it’s …about educating and defending equal opportunities for women. That is important for both men and women to be educated about." – Lorena Acevedo
"In the Young Women’s Studies Club it is all about respect for each other and respect for all women. I also learned the importance of leadership. I was a mentor, so I was a leader in some ways. The girls in my room listened to what we had to say. I am seen as a positive role model, and someone to look up to." – Jessica Michelson
"By participating in the Club, building relationships with the students, and watching them grow and learn has also revealed the importance of both education and community support. I have realized the reciprocal process and results of community activism." – Desiree Dare
"…Through taking this class and serving the community in the YWSC, I learned that feminism is a positive movement that seeks justice for women and the end of gender inequality in all aspects of life including social, cultural, economic, and political phenomena." – Kristen Loughlin
"Five things I learned: I can make a difference. Any little thing encourages the students. It is very important to show the youth we are there for them. We have to encourage women everywhere not to give up. We all had something important to do for the Club." –Gaby Leano
"I feel like I left a positive impact on the YWSC/high school community. Just by dedicating my time and taking real interest in women’s studies affects the attitudes and participation of the students. I think that it is important for teens to have mentors who are in college and interested in women’s issues because we become living proof of a potential future for these students." –Desiree Cuizon
"The meetings help create awareness. The fact that the mentors are interested in the topic shows that they are important issues worthy of concern and interest. It also helps validate the worth of the students in their own eyes that they, as young women, are worthy of having a topic dedicated to them and that their concerns, ideas, and futures are important and worth being looked into." – Stephani Vicario
"This journey as a mentor has been incredible. I’ve learned a lot about myself, history and random facts, the process of feminism, and how to interact with others. It helped me realize what I’ve been missing in my life because I have not participated in several community service events since high school. This experience has also brought out my more passionate side about women’s positions in society and I’m at a point where I’m considering picking Women’s Studies minor." – Tuongri Tran
"This program is changing lives. Whether we see it today or not, it is making a difference. This is why community activism and programs like the YWSC are so important because if we do not do it, then who will?" – Alexa Martz
"…Whether or not I take the other 341 class, I want to continue to be a mentor with the Young Women’s Studies Club next year. I feel as if I got just as much out of my experience with the YWSC, if not more, than the girls I mentored, and it was a semester of growth, something there is no going back from." – Rachel Dexter
"Together with encouragement and perseverance I have learned acceptance. There are many different kinds of people in this world, different in color, orientation, and gender, among many other categories. While I have been in this club I have learned that everyone struggles to be accepted and if we are not part of the solution, we might be part of the problem." – Javier Suarez
"Being empowered and being able to empower others is what feminism is all about and I made an effort to convey that every moment of my volunteer experience. Being able to appreciate every woman, as an individual, is another aspect of class that was helpful in my volunteer experience. With Y.W.S.C. being so diverse it’s important to create an environment where every girl is able to tell her story and feel appreciated as an individual." –Kim Newman
"I have also learned that I am a good person and someone that people can look up to. Before coming to this Club I felt like I didn’t do anything productive or worthy, but after talking with my Hoovers they admire me just for being in college and having a job. I believe YWSC has helped to raise my self-esteem also." – KD DeSelms
"With YWSC, we serve to instill that motivation and encourage high school students to care about their futures and the world around them. Seeing us care about women’s issues and care to share our knowledge with them creates a positive experience between all of us." –Krista Sutera
"A student in the Club that I worked with seemed to be interested in art, but also seemed he never had the means or time or support to explore it. After working on a project within the club it gave him the tools and outlet of expression. He may not have taken the risk of expression through art if it wasn’t for the supportive environment around him." – Jenny Lane
"This experience also changed my perspective of what it means to be a feminist. The class and this community service have shown me that it’s …about educating and defending equal opportunities for women. That is important for both men and women to be educated about." – Lorena Acevedo
"In the Young Women’s Studies Club it is all about respect for each other and respect for all women. I also learned the importance of leadership. I was a mentor, so I was a leader in some ways. The girls in my room listened to what we had to say. I am seen as a positive role model, and someone to look up to." – Jessica Michelson
"By participating in the Club, building relationships with the students, and watching them grow and learn has also revealed the importance of both education and community support. I have realized the reciprocal process and results of community activism." – Desiree Dare
"…Through taking this class and serving the community in the YWSC, I learned that feminism is a positive movement that seeks justice for women and the end of gender inequality in all aspects of life including social, cultural, economic, and political phenomena." – Kristen Loughlin
"Five things I learned: I can make a difference. Any little thing encourages the students. It is very important to show the youth we are there for them. We have to encourage women everywhere not to give up. We all had something important to do for the Club." –Gaby Leano
"I feel like I left a positive impact on the YWSC/high school community. Just by dedicating my time and taking real interest in women’s studies affects the attitudes and participation of the students. I think that it is important for teens to have mentors who are in college and interested in women’s issues because we become living proof of a potential future for these students." –Desiree Cuizon
"The meetings help create awareness. The fact that the mentors are interested in the topic shows that they are important issues worthy of concern and interest. It also helps validate the worth of the students in their own eyes that they, as young women, are worthy of having a topic dedicated to them and that their concerns, ideas, and futures are important and worth being looked into." – Stephani Vicario
