Building Bonds Beyond the Classroom

For the past two months, West Potomac students traded their final class period for something even more meaningful—mentorship.

From mid-January through last week, approximately 27 West Potomac AVID students traveled to Hybla Valley Elementary School every Tuesday and Thursday during the last hour of the day to build connections with younger students.

The initiative, organized at Hybla Valley by Damon Baughn launched at West Potomac by AVID teacher Nicole Borghard, created a consistent space for relationship-building, encouragement, and positive role modeling.

Senior Joseph Moran was one of the students who participated in the program.

“Mr. Baughn had been thinking about starting something like this for a long time,” Joseph explained. “When the opportunity came up, he invited AVID students to be part of it.”

Stepping Into Leadership

While Joseph entered the program excited, others admitted to feeling nervous at first.

“It was a little hard at the beginning,” senior Allison Guevara shared. “You never know how little kids will feel about you. But after a few visits, she started getting comfortable and would tell me stories she didn’t share with anyone else. It was really special.”

Joseph was paired with two energetic students and quickly realized the impact went beyond just those assigned to him.

“When I’d walk into the classroom, they’d say, ‘Mr. Joseph’s here!’ Other students would come up and show me their work too. It wasn’t just about my two students—it became about the whole class.”

More Than Academics

While some mentoring sessions included helping with classwork, much of the time focused on relationship-building.

“It was good for them to step out of that academic space for a bit,” Allison explained. “Sometimes they just needed someone to talk to.”

Joseph helped one student navigate schoolwork during science and art, and even turned a simple coloring assignment into a breakthrough moment.

“He thought coloring was a ‘girly’ thing and didn’t want to do it,” Joseph said. “But I just explained it wasn’t anything serious. By the end, he liked it.”

Small wins like that added up.

Inspiring the Future

Beyond day-to-day interactions, the mentors hope the elementary students walked away with something lasting: belief in themselves.

“In that area, some students don’t always see college as an option,” Joseph said. “They would ask me what I was doing after graduation. I told them about college and my goals. I tried to show them that higher education is a good step.”

For others, the impact was more personal.

“I hope she remembers the small moments,” Allison said. “We’re role models when we walk in there. I hope she carries that with her.”

A Program Worth Continuing

Both students expressed hope that the program will grow in the future.

“These kids depend on us to be a positive example,” Joseph said. “If you’re thinking about [becoming a mentor], you should give it a try.”

The experience not only supported Hybla Valley students—it shaped the mentors themselves.

“I really think it helped me grow as a leader,” Allison reflected. “You never know who you’re going to meet or how they’ll look up to you.”

Through simple conversations, shared stories, and steady encouragement, West Potomac students proved that leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about showing up.

And sometimes, just being there makes all the difference.

🦩💗 Flamingos, smiles, and friendships!💗🦩

West Po mentors and Hybla Valley students wrapped up their time together with a fun celebration—complete with a flamingo photobooth! 📸✨

Two months of connection, encouragement, and growth ended with laughter and memories we won’t forget. So proud of the bonds built and the impact made on both sides. 💙🐾