High School Volunteers make Big impact in the community

Sidney High Senior Abigail Ball, 18, of Sidney and Mariah Taylor,
7 year old daughter of Crystal Powers of Sidney. Mariah recently attended
the cheer clinic at Sidney High School sponsored by the
Sidney High cheerleaders.

Eighteen year old Abigail Ball is your typical busy High School senior. At Sidney High Abby stays active in many clubs and organizations, is a varsity cheerleader and works part time at the YMCA.
However, when the opportunity to join the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization came during the fall of 2010, Abby stepped up to be a high school mentor through the after school mentoring program, Big Buddies. During the course of the school year high school volunteers meet two times per month to offer guidance and support to local elemenatary students in need of a positive role model. Abby quickly realized the impact that she could have on the life of a child.

As fall approached and senior year obligations, work and activites limited her time she was unable to commit to the structured schedule of being in the Buddies Program. So when Abby turned 18 in October she realized she could be part of the core program. Being in the core program allowed her to schedule activities with her assigned little around her busy schedule.

In fall of 2011 Abby was matched up with 7 year old Mariah and the two have become fast friends. Mariah had a strong interest in cheerleading so when Sidney High offered a Cheer Clinic for youth interested in cheering in the future, Mariah jumped a the chance to participate. You can imagine the fun these two had cheering together at a halftime performance of a Sidney High Varsity game. Abby is truly making a lasting impact on the life of Mariah. Mariah is getting the opportunity to try new activities and see the hard work and dedication of a high school senior.

In an effort to make more successful matches such as Abby and Mariah, Big Brothers Big Sisters is offering High School Bowl Mania this Sunday March 4th from 12:- 4:00 at Bel-Mar Lanes in Sidney and from 1:00 – 3:00 at McBos Lanes in Versailles. Any High School student wishing to participate my do so by calling the office at937-492-7611 or 937-547-9622 to register a time to bowl. Entry fee is $20 and will allow for one game of bowling, 2012 Bowl for Kids Sake t-shirt, plenty of food and one entry to win a Kindle Fire. High School Bowl Mania is a new component to our Bowl for Kids Sake fund raising event.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County is a nonprofit, United Way member, social service organization whose mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. The relationship is meant to guide each child toward becoming a confident, competent, and caring individual. Volunteer mentors are always needed.

Anyone interested should call the office at 547-9622 or 492-7611 to obtain more information. Forms can also be found on the web at http://www.bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org/.