Reprinted from Northwest Military
Prior to December, Senior Airman Katherine Lamb just wasn’t up to speed on the latest happenings in the world of professional wrestling.
But since volunteering as a mentor at Lochburn Middle School in Lakewood and getting paired with eighth-grader Selena Verduzco, her eyes have been opened to World Wrestling Entertainment star John Cena and his many ring theatrics.
“Before, I wasn’t cool,” Lamb, 31, said with a laugh.
During the pair’s one hour a week meetings, Lamb works with Verduzco on a variety of school assignments, assisting the 13-year-old on whatever subjects she needs help with. The two also share stories and talk about their interests.
“She tells me about her concerns, and I give her my point of view,” said Lamb, who works on the command staff of the 62nd Mission Support Group at JBLM-McChord Field.
It’s all part of the Communities in Schools of Lakewood program, which features 66 mentors – 10 of which are airmen or soldiers from the base. Students who have been paired with a mentor get better grades, have fewer behavior infractions and even tend to have higher self- esteem, said Doug Baxter, mentor coordinator.
“The kids also know better in what direction they want to go in the future, and know better how to get there,” Baxter said.
The program also allows for students to stay working with their mentors as they move from elementary to high school within the Clover Park School District, better preparing them for college, he said.
Lamb, who speaks fluent Spanish, has given Verduzco a finer grasp of some of her math and history assignments. That has translated into higher grades.
“I have no more “F’s,” Verduzco said.
Once the school work is finished, the two have a chance to talk about their life experiences. The subjects range from Lamb talking about growing up in Puerto Rico, joining the Air Force and moving all around the country to Verduzco talking about her love of WWE wrestling and playing soccer.
“Mentoring helps you in a variety of different aspects – mainly learning to become a better listener,” Lamb said. “It’s a great bond and friendship.”
Verduzco enjoys hearing about Lamb’s travels and has formed a strong bond due partially to the fact her deceased father was a soldier in Mexico.
“She’s a best friend … it’s not like a teacher in the classroom telling you what to do,” the 13-year-old said.
The relationship has been mutually beneficial for both.
“You feel better that (the students) are changing their study habits for good,” Lamb said.
And Verduzco’s commitment to finishing her schoolwork has enabled her to raise her grade point average and play on the school’s soccer team.
“If you want to be on the soccer team, you need to do the (schoolwork),” Verduzco said.