M2 on the Move!

DREAM’s M2 Guided Mentoring Program is making moves in Vermont. Below are a few highlights of their progress while developing high school mentors!

Cabot, VT - Students from Hazen Union High School went on a trip to Burtt’s Apple Orchard in late October. The trip was part of M2's curriculum, which helps students learn about resources in their community.

The students went apple picking through over 10,000 trees and 35 different varieties of apples. Greg Burtt, owner and operator, took the students on a tour of the orchard. They visited the corn maze, store, and play area while Greg described how the orchard thrives by working with the community around it. The students walked away with not just a bag of fresh apples, but also a sense of how connected the parts of their community are.

Hardwick, VT - A week after their trip to Burtt’s Apple Orchard, the M2 Guided Mentoring Team organized a caramel apple event for the students. Utilizing the Home Economics room (another resource in the community), the students discussed the trip while decorating their gorgeous caramel apples. While completing their extension activity and after reflecting on the local business relationships that the orchard has, they were able to recognize the many ways one organization can contribute to its community.

Burtt’s apples and apple cider made for a perfect reward after the discussion! Not to mention the renewed sense of teamwork, responsibility, and community that the activity inspired.

Danville, VT - Youth Service Manager Bessie McManus held her first Local Advisory Board meeting at Danville School on October 27. The Local Advisory Board is composed of parents, administrators, and students participating in the M2 about the program at a specific site. Their meetings are to gather feedback, instigate conversation, connect those involved and enrich the experience the program is able to offer. The feedback from all involved was positive. Additionally, students at Danville who participated in this meeting got to meet with their mentors.

Bessie McManus, Alicia Grangent, Kaitlyn Root, and Amber Combs pose by the words "DREAM Big" on a school poster.