Mentoring

Dear Shelby Arnold,

Being your mentor was a great honor. Yet, it was an AMAZING experience to meet you. I know I tell you all the time what you mean to me and how this helps me but I will say it again. Being a mentor isn’t honestly a job it’s a role I took upon myself. Especially when it came to being your mentor I chose you. It wasn’t because of your grades or your past. It was what you needed. You asked for a leader to be there for you and help when ever possible. You asked for someone that can be friendly and kind. You asked for someone that could care about you. I believed that I could deliver all that and more. When it came to mentoring there wasn’t a lot to mentor honestly. You were on TOP OF THE GAME. It was impressive! I assumed I would need to help more than I had. Little did I know it was because you were self reliant and a straight forward person. There was never a time where you needed me as a mentor because you had it in yourself. This reflects back to if I was doing my job correctly. I was! A mentor in the LI isn’t suppose to be a hovering figure they don’t see you as a baby with no clear goals or ideas. They see you equally as a leader. We are there in case you struggle because that is what everyone is for. We want nothing but the best for you. Does this mean I am off my guard? Heck no! I want to be involved still in your life and continue to text or call or come over because I love you as a person. There was no daily chore for me. I gave you all the space you needed and I learned exactly what to ask you or talk to you about. You were always kind and caring and always expressed interesting in talking and telling me what’s up in your life. I feel like mentoring has this big idea to it that you need to teach all the skills but I didn’t because you had a knack at this. This is why the LI recognized you to be apart of the program because you took it upon yourself to be self sufficient and reliable. You never said no or help without trying first. You always took the steps without second thoughts. I find that admirable. Little do you know but I learned from you. It may be a cliché thing to say but it really isn’t because it’s a truth that all teachers like yourself will learn. You will never stop being an incredible person Shelby I know it. The take away from my experience mentoring is that you learn to adapt and you how to form your leadership skills to another persons and that way it’s not overbearing. I learned that people like you exist in the world and it gives me hope that I may see more. No body else though will ever compare to you and your self. Congrats on completing your first year of college. I hope sophomore year is great and continue being awesome! 

Current Leader Reflection

Director Dan Gaken from the Leadership Institute at Central Michigan University put it best when he said, “You are the leader of today.” Unfortunately, at that moment when he said that I couldn’t think what he meant by it. Even though it obviously means I am the leader of today what exactly does that guarantee that I can do for my followers? Plus, what qualifications do I have to lead?

Looking back of how I have risen up from being that follower to a leader I was influenced by many great and notable people’s words and guidance. These people aren’t not at all alive to this day. However, there are a few who are alive. One person in particular saw me as a potential leader  and put me under his wing, so I may grow with the confidence I need.

Robert J. Richard is my mentor who I greatly admire. His life has been filled with an adventure that was granted to him by becoming an Eagle Scout. Born in 1935 he was raised under his parents and with a scouting background. He graduated college at Carnegie Mellon University, joined a Jewish fraternity (he is actually catholic), went to the 1955 world championships w/ the Green Bay Packers (he was on the team), became an Eagle scout, became a scoutmaster, earned a degree in Space Engineering, sent a man on the moon w/ NASA, became a well known chef, works on radios, etc. There is so much about him that I could talk for at least a good 2 hours. However, his life is worth more than 2 hours. He could be just yanking my chains, but I have seen proof in his words and in the bond that we share.

Mr. Richard (my adopted family member) has also successfully mentored me in getting my Eagle. This dubious award is my milestone that best defines who I am. Usually, I tell people what I did, but when they ask me who helped I would always say my mentor Mr. Richard.

Right now he is very sick and has cancer, and I am sad with tears I am holding back. I can’t do much except pray. I always intend to go see him and his wife Sue. They are my family. When the day comes and he is no longer physically there I won’t forget him. I won’t ever dare think he is dead, for his life and memory will live on. I will tell my friends who I have to thank for my life. I will tell the world if I have to. Robert J. Richard is the most interesting man in the world. What I will do is I won’t let my Eagle Scout Award go in vain, and I will live everyday. Carpe the heck out of your Diem.