Mentoring program provides
opportunities for local outreach
Listen to Girls Program builds relationships with local girls while offering positive mentoring, reinforcement

Malcolm Smith - Features Beat

Even in a time when teens carry cellular phones to school, some things never change.

High school is still one of the most influential phases in the lives of teenagers. For females, the pressure to fit in can be especially stressful.

“Through the [Listen to Girls] program, I’ve learned how things have changed and how things have not changed [in high school],” said Angela Bullock, a graduate student at Appalachian State University pursuing a career in marriage and family therapy.

The purpose of the program is to team a female youth from
surrounding counties with a female Appalachian student to build a sense of community among women.

“The benefits of the program are for ASU students to meet and learn about local girls, eradicating some stereotypes college students may have about ‘locals,’ as well as gaining mentoring experience,” said Jenny Trimble, program director.

The Listen to Girls program is designed to lessen the risks of destructive behavior of teenage girls through positive mentoring and reinforcement of positive behaviors.

The mentee (a girl being mentored) gets the opportunity to learn about college life and is encouraged to consider undergraduate studies as an option.

“I try to give her as much information as possible,” said freshman Terri McKay of mentee Amie Barr. “We [set goals] for them.”

Listen to Girls helps teens define goals they would like to achieve and steps to take to achieve those goals. The mentor helps the youths with a number of teenage problems many of the mentors have personally experienced.

Natalie, a Watauga High School sophomore, has had problems in school relating with some of her peers. “I didn’t like going to school,” she said.

Jealousy and competition among teenage girls became a problem and began to affect Natalie’s studies. Bullock’s mentoring of Natalie has helped the teen understand “pettiness” with other girls typically is only a phase.

“Natalie reminds me a lot of me at her age,” she said. “I can relate to her and help her understand that it is just [other] girls. Girls are like that [at that age].”

The pair has done a number of activities together including a trip to the mall and Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train.

“I’ve seen some improvement in her,” said Natalie’s mother. “Mrs. Batters [Natalie’s guidance counselor] thought an older girl would help her get through this stage in her life.”

“It is a new experience,” said Natalie. “[Bullock] is really cool. I like her.”

Appalachian freshman McKay and eighth grader Barr are animated about the program and the impact it has had on their lives thus far.
“Listen to Girls has been really great,” said McKay, a psychology major. “Amie is so enthusiastic.”

The two went to a performance of the Appalachian Dance Festival and a play. They openly talk about issues that are important to Barr.
“Everything I talk to Terri about is confidential,” said Barr. “We get along really well.”

“She really seemed like she needed someone to talk to,” said McKay. “I’m [her] objective listener. She opens up.”

The relationship has given Zionville native Barr a new perspective on life. She now is thinking of attending Appalachian after high school.
“Terri helped me react to certain situations. She picks me up and takes me to the computer lab [when I have assessments due],” said Barr.
“ASU is beautiful; I love ASU.”

“Listen to Girls builds relationships,” said Trimble. “The mentor program provides someone to talk to that is not a parent, counselor or teacher, and it teaches the mentor to be a positive role model.”