Fort Lauderdale High School has always been a place where students strive for excellence, and the Soaring L’s Mentor Program is taking this commitment to the next level. Designed to foster connections and support among students, the program aims to create a sense of community within the school’s  diverse student body. 

The Soaring L’s Mentor Program pairs experienced upperclassmen, known as mentors, with underclassmen, the mentees, creating a network of support for students in need that extends beyond the classroom.

The founders of the Soaring L’s Mentor Program, Dr. Morrison and Ms. Ospina, have dedicated themselves to creating a supportive community at Fort Lauderdale High School, fostering connections among students, and nurturing personal and academic growth.

“The Soaring L Mentorship Program is a project that I hold very close to my heart,” Ms.Ospina shared. “It started as a way to get students reengaged during the pandemic in 2020 and has evolved into classes full of students who are constantly collaborating to achieve their quarterly goals.” 

The program’s name, Soaring L’s reflects the school’s mascot and the shared goal of helping each student reach new heights in their academic and personal development.

Starting high school can be an overwhelming experience, but having a mentor can make the journey smoother. Mentors provide guidance on navigating the school environment, selecting courses, and getting involved in extracurricular activities. This personalized support is invaluable in helping underclassmen acclimate to their new surroundings. 

“This program has provided me much needed guidance,” mentee Jayla Martin (10) passionately expressed. “This program has helped me navigate going to Fort Lauderdale High School, and has helped smoothly start my high school journey. I’m very grateful for this experience!”

In the Lead Mentor class, students take an active role in fundraising, designing, and coordinating events for the Soaring L’s Mentorship Program. This unique class empowers students with leadership skills as they work collaboratively to organize activities that strengthen the bonds and rewards students within the program. Through these efforts, the Lead Mentor class plays a pivotal role in the Soaring L’s program. 

According to eleventh grade lead mentor Jenna Grivas, “Being a lead mentor means making tough decisions and working hard, even when it’s not easy for you. But being a lead mentor can be very rewarding and allows you to become more hands on with the background work involved with keeping and maintaining programs; fundraising, pitching new ideas, volunteer work etc.”

The mentorship relationships are designed to be mutually beneficial, with mentors gaining valuable leadership and communication skills. By fostering a culture of mentorship, Fort Lauderdale High School aims to create a supportive community that encourages collaboration among students.

Additionally Ms.Ospina expressed her gratitude for the program.

 “It provides opportunities for students to form meaningful bonds and to encourage one another to have a positive high school experience. When I speak to students in the program it feels fantastic to know that they find value and power in their mentorship experience,” she said. “It would not be possible without the Soaring L teachers who volunteer to be a part of the program, our Guidance team for constantly making adjustments to student schedules to make sure that they have the necessary support, the rest of administration for supporting our vision, and of course, all our students who give it their all to make this program a success.”

To kick off the completion of the first quarter, the program held a celebration the week of November 30th, allowing mentors and mentees to socialize and form connections. Students enjoyed refreshments from Kona-Ice.

“This program and my mentor has helped me in many ways,” mentee Curtis Brown Jr. (10) shared.  “The quarterly celebration was very rewarding, and I look forward to becoming a mentor in the future.”

As the Soaring L’s Mentor Program continues, it has the potential to become an integral part of the Fort Lauderdale High School experience. By investing in the success of every student, the program embodies the spirit of the Soaring L’s, lifting each other to new heights in education and personal growth.