MENTEE SPEECHES FROM TAUNTON HIGH SCHOOL’S MENTOR
PROGRAM CLOSING BREAKFAST MAY 15, 2008
“My name is Ian Nilram and I am a junior at Taunton High School. The time I
spent with Jaime was precious to me. Through him I saw into the world that lays ahead
of me, that lays ahead of all of us. I use to be scared of that world because it is new and
different and I felt unprepared but now I feel I can see it through. Sure, I am still scared
and ill prepared but Then again I never truly will be. Yet because of the time I spent with
Jaime I feel I can see it through.
Our time was well spent, and the little conversations we had, whether it was life
or Latin, showed me that there is life after high school and looking at him I saw that I
don’t have to be an adult all the time. I can still laugh and smile. I can still fool around.
I just have to also be responsible and productive and that doesn’t seem so bad.
I always asked Jaime about his job and though I didn’t understand half of it, what
I did understand is that he loves what he does. That is what I want. That is my goal. To
find something I love and latch onto it. I think that is what we all want and why many of
us joined the program. My fellow students, my grandest desire is to see you chase your
dreams and then one day catch them.
As for the mentors, well I believe you have your own lesson. One you can see in
the eyes of your mentee. That is this; never let go of your childhood. Time is too
precious not to laugh. Not to smile. Not to seize it with all of your soul.
Today I am a kid, tomorrow I will be a man. What the future holds for me I do
not know, but thanks to Jaime I do not have to be afraid.”
Ian Nilram
Taunton High School Mentee ‘08
MENTEE SPEECHES FROM TAUNTON HIGH SCHOOL’S MENTOR
PROGRAM CLOSING BREAKFAST MAY 15, 2008
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Carla Gomes and I’m a junior.
I use to go to Brockton High School. I’ve been in Taunton for a year and a half. My
mentor’s name is Denise Bradford, she works at Johnson and Johnson. It’s her first time
in the mentor program and so am I. This woman is extremely knid-hearted and a fun
person to be around. I got to admit the first time I met her, I didn’t think we were going
to experience so many interesting and fun jobs and careers. Denise gave me the
determination and support to approach my dreams. I can honestly say that through her
kindness and willingness to help me find the right career made me see a whole different
world I didn’t acknowledge before. Going to some of these places like, the job Denise
works at, astonished me because seeing the people dressed so well and working at their
desks reminded me of movies I would watch; the lawyers and investigators working in
the office.
One of the most memorable places I went is to a café in Lakeville. It is a pleasure
for me to sing in front of some kind people. Music is one of my passions in life. I
actually go there every month. I was pretty sad when Denise couldn’t go to the
HandiKids tour. I want to thank Nancy Adams for taking me to one of the most
fascinating tours I’ve been to. HandiKids fits my interest as a career to work with
disabled kids.
I wish Denise Bradford, the best in life. I’m trying to search for words to say how
appreciative I am. You’ve definitely impacted my life in a miraculous way. I got to see a
different side of life I hadn’t seen or experienced. I hope we remain friends for life. I
definitely recommend the Mentor Program to every student attending Taunton High
School, especially those dealing with conflicts within themselves, family or schoolwork.
Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank Nancy, Norma and all those involved
with the Mentor Program. I hope this program continues to go on and expand to a greater
one.
Carla Gomes
Taunton High School Mentee ‘08
MENTEE SPEECHES FROM TAUNTON HIGH SCHOOL’S MENTOR
PROGRAM CLOSING BREAKFAST MAY 15, 2008
My name is Justin Breen and my mentor is Arthur Viana. Being in the Mentor
Program was an excellent experience. I was really surprised with how interesting the
trips were. I have always been intrigued by music as well as computers. With the
knowledge of my mentor and helpful experiences with the program, I have learned that
audio engineering would be a very fitting job for me. Also, I have never been to a
college before entering the Mentor Program, but thanks to the wide variety of perfectly
chosen trips, I was able to see what a college is like. I was always looking forward to the
next trip because they were the perfect mix of education and fun. You can’t get much
better than going out to Gillette Stadium, learning about its business background and
grabbing some lunch at a restaurant. And the day would not have been complete without
my mentor Arthur being able to answer all of my questions while still cracking a few
jokes. Whoever thought up this program is a genius and has helped me along with many
other students find their way down the right career path. It was an experience I will never
forget.
Justin Breen
Taunton High School Mentee ‘08
MENTEE SPEECHES FROM TAUNTON HIGH SCHOOL’S MENTOR
PROGRAM CLOSING BREAKFAST MAY 15, 2008
Good morning mentors and mentees. My name is Abby Ben-Chaim and I am a
junior at Taunton High School. Today I am going to talk about how this program helped
me and what I benefited from it. When I first came back to Taunton High in September
as a junior, I knew I had to prepare and think about my future. Truthfully, I was
confused. I liked some majors but not the right one.
When I found out I was involved in this program, I was excited. This program
helped me narrow down my decisions I chose so far. I got to tour a couple of colleges
such as Bridgewater State and Johnson & Wales. It opened up my eyes to knowing I can
really do something in life. So far I am going to stick with business, fashion and retail
marketing. I know I am going to a 4-year college, probably Bridgewater. During this
program, I did not just learn but I got to benefit a friend out of it. My mentor Kathy
Banalewicz, from Webster Bank, has inspired me in many ways. She is a hard working
person who taught me to challenge things in life. We have so much alike and I am glad I
got her to be my mentor. After every tour or event we went to, she’d always ask me
questions such as “What did you think or learn?” That was one of the qualities I loved
about Kathy. She’d always challenge me. I want to thank her for the time and effort she
put into it. I also want to thank Brenda Flores for always being there when Kathy
couldn’t be. You were like my 2nd mentor.
Abby Ben-Chain
Taunton High School Mentee ‘08