AAUW provides mentors and friendships for young women

FALLBROOK – Six mentors from the Fallbrook American Association of University Women (AAUW) and 12 Fallbrook High School girls boarded the Coaster in Oceanside on Nov. 21 to visit San Diego as part of AAUW’s Mentor/Mentee program. The purpose was to enjoy the cultural and educational ambiance offered by Old Town, and to continue to build mentor/mentee relationships.

For the past 20 years, Fallbrook’s AAUW has provided mentors (through their Mentorship Program) to Fallbrook High school girls who are recommended by the director of the AVID Program (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a global non-profit program dedicated to preparing students for college who exhibit high potential and good grades.

The relationship of mentor to mentee begins in a girl’s sophomore year and continues through her senior year when she is assisted in preparing college applications and even in some cases visiting college campuses together. Coaching sessions, as well as enriching activities, are provided to help the girls prepare for public speaking and to enable them to participate in the annual California State AAUW’s Speech Trek competition.

Not even an especially heavy rain on the day of the train trip dampened spirits for this successful event. As one of the participants commented, at one point during the trip they were greeted by the appearance of “a beautiful full rainbow”.

Those interested in joining AAUW in promoting the education of young girls and women, as well as connecting with women of similar interests and background, can contact Teresa Fiske at (760) 550-2319 or [email protected].