May Spotlight 2024

This month’s student-mentor spotlight is on mentor Debbie Grove and her mentee, Leah Kasper. The two have been matched since May 2020.

Debbie Grove,  Mentor

What do you consider to be your hometown? How long have you lived in Fernandina Beach?

What made you decide to mentor with Take Stock?
When we first moved to town I was shopping and struck up a conversation with a complete stranger as we were “browsing” that lasted at least a half hour. She happened to work for Take Stock and handed me an application to be a mentor. That was in February of 2020, and I think Leah and I were matched together by April. I was a retired teacher, and I was told it would be “a good fit.” It has been. I’ve enjoyed it.

How many students have you mentored?
Leah is my one and only mentee that I’ve been assigned. We’ve been together for four years.

What have you gained from mentoring Leah?
I’ve learned a number of things over our four years together. It has made me reflect on my own teenage years, as well as those of our two boys, who are now professionals. I think developmentally, we all go through the same stages of growth, but go through them at various rates. Some teenagers are more confident in themselves, and some have had more support at home. But no matter how attentive our parents are, as teenagers we need support from others, as well. It doesn’t hurt to know about different perspectives in life and know that our own direction may differ from moms and dads. Our own growth depends on ourselves being realistic in our own goals, but also leaving room for taking risks and getting out of our own comfort zone. I think being a mentor has helped me understand just how vulnerable we all our at any age and know that we as humans are never fully grown. A young person can be as life affirming to their mentor as the mentor is to them. We are all in this thing called life together, and a person can find support in a number of places. Leah is just now embarking on her adult dreams, but as old as I am, I think that I’m still embarking on my own. Meeting new people of all ages has made me realize we are all in this thing called life together and that curiosity may be the one thing that keeps us exploring our world with an open mind and an appreciation of others.

Leah Casper, Yulee High School Senior

Why did you want to apply for Take Stock?
I applied for Take Stock because I heard it was a great scholarship program to be involved in.

What have you learned from your relationship with your mentor?
Mrs. Debbie has taught me how to enjoy the little things in life. Every meeting, she’d always ask about what was going on in my day-to-day life. Speaking with her about the past, present, and future has made me realize how important it is to slow down and live in the moment.

What is your favorite memory from TSIC?
My favorite memory is the senior breakfast. I loved seeing everyone with their mentors, just enjoying each other’s company.

What are your plans after you graduate high school and TSIC?
After graduation, I plan on attending Florida State College of Jacksonville, majoring in Dental Hygiene.