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A mentor’s surprise gift speaks volumes

Brigette Tinsley, an environmental engineer at PPG, has been a CIS mentor for three years. Her lunch buddy, Selicity, surprised with a yearbook at the end of the school year. It had been signed by all the students in Selicity's class at Central Davidson Middle School.

Brigette Tinsley, an environmental engineer at PPG, has been a CIS mentor for three years. She is pictured with the yearbook that was presented to her by her mentee, Selicity, a rising seventh grade student at Central Davidson Middle School.

Brigette Tinsley, an environmental engineer at PPG, has been a CIS mentor for three years. Her lunch buddy, Selicity, surprised her with a yearbook at the end of the school year. It had been signed by all the students in Selicity’s class at Central Davidson Middle School.

Here’s what Tinsley had to say about the yearbook and her relationship with Selicity:

How long have you and Selicity been together as mentor and mentee? I started as Selecity’s buddy (when she was) in third grade. So this fall, we’ll enter our fourth year together. Wow!

How did you feel when she presented you with the yearbook? The yearbook idea was so sweet! It just shows how giving of a person she is. The biggest thing I’ve learned and appreciate about Selecity is her open, giving nature. She will be friends with anyone from the very popular to the very quiet and shy. She’s a friend to all and you can even see how the teachers and school administrators recognize this sweet nature. The yearbook was signed from those in her current grade and even those classmates back from elementary school. I ate lunch with them every week so I guess I became everyone’s lunch buddy! Very sweet – I keep the book on my desk at work.

What are the major things you think Selicity has gained from your relationship with her? I hope she’s recognizing that she can have anything she wants for herself, she just needs to work for it and believe she’s worth only the best.

If you could make sure she never forgets one thing you’ve tried to teach her, what would that be? To believe in yourself and honor you over anyone else. By that I mean, to never sacrifice what you know is right and may bring harm to you just for approval by others.

What do you think you have gained from working with her? I really appreciate the opportunity to pause and see life from a smaller scale. I have children younger than Selicity and spending time with her helps me to step back and remember problems and issues in their life may seem small to adults, but it’s a major part of their existance. We need to help them see beyond their years and realize that growing up is tough, but having someone to talk things through with and laugh always make it a little better.

 

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