Tulare County teens awarded $47K in scholarships for mentoring young students

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dozens of precocious schoolhouse students were recognized Wednesday for their dedication to mentoring children done the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California.

A full of 56 scholarships were awarded to teens who participated successful the nonprofit's "Bigs and Littles" initiative, which pairs precocious schoolhouse students with simple schoolhouse children successful request of guidance and support. The mentors came from 4 counties crossed the Central Valley.

"Patience and compassion are key," said teen mentor Roxana Vasquez-Tapia. "A batch of times I perceive from my Little that their concern is precise different, truthful it's astir being open-minded to however different kids are."

The programme not lone provides mentorship but besides world enactment and friendship, according to Diane Phakonekham, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California.

"It's a beauteous win-win," Phakonekham said. "They springiness back, they assistance with homework, and they're determination to beryllium a friend. By being portion of our agency, they besides suffice for scholarships."

This year, the enactment distributed $47,000 successful scholarships, made imaginable by donors including the George and Melodie Rogers Foundation.