District seeks student mentors

Five years ago when Harmony Plaisted was in third grade she met for the first time with her TeamMates mentor, Terri Herman. After each of them completed an application, they were matched by former Custer Elementary counselor Michelle Watland based on similar interests.
“We clicked, and we’ve been together ever since,” said Herman, “I think Mrs. Watland did a really great job at matching us.”
Plaisted recalls that when she and others were in elementary school there was a lot of interest and excitement among her and other students about being a part of the program, but that there weren’t enough mentors to go around. Five years later, the TeamMates program still faces the same challenge. Many more mentors are needed.
The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring students to reach their full potential through mentoring. Caring, safe and trustworthy adults are encouraged to apply.
Before applying to be a part of the TeamMates program, Herman worked in daycare. In fact, Plaisted was just a baby at the daycare center where she worked. Missing being around kids and becoming an empty-nester, she decided to give being a mentor a try after seeing the program advertised in Custer School District’s newsletter, Tidbits.
“My kids had graduated from high school, and I enjoy kids, so I said ‘you know, I think I’ll give this a shot,’” said Herman.
In their first meetings, Plaisted and Herman would play card games, especially Uno, and get to know each other in the process. Herman admits “I lost my fair share of Uno games.”
Now they meet during Plaisted’s lunch period, and prefer to just catch up and talk with each other.
“I reccomend it because it’s a lot of fun, and it gets you out of the gossip at lunch,” Plaisted said.
“Most of the time we just talk about things—her future, school, just life,” said Herman. Their interests and hobbies compliment each other well.
“I like to bake, and she likes to eat cookies,” said Herman.
“I like playing sports, and she likes to watch them,” echoed Plaisted.
Plaisted, Herman, and Plaisted’s step-father, Treg Cox, can’t recommened TeamMates enough.
“I think it’s good because Harmony can have a grown-up opinion from someone other than her parent, and sometimes they need that,” said Cox.
Plaisted agrees.
“I like it beacuse sometimes I don’t think he’s right, and I can vent to her [Herman] about him,” admits Plaisted, although her mentor Herman said “I try to support what dad says too.”
This relationship with her mentor has helped her a lot, Plaisted said.
“Some people think it’s like a therapist, but no, it’s more of a best friend. You build a really strong and healthy relationship,” said Plaisted.
For Plaisted, Herman has filled a much larger role than just a best friend.
“She’s always been there for me, so she’s kind of like family now,” said Plaisted.  “I never really had a mother figure, so it was really important to have a female there other than my mom. She’s been like a mother figure to me since third grade.”
“She knows me so well just because of how long we’ve spent time together. She knows like every detail about me,” said Plaisted.
Going into high school soon, they spend a lot of time talking about Plaisted’s future. Herman says she’s looking forward to seeing Plaisted’s future, and that they talk about her graduation, getting her drivers license and even getting married one day.
“Seeing how much our relationship is going to grow. That’s really exciting to me,” said Herman.
Herman says the program also makes a difference in her own life. She meets with Plaisted over her lunch break, and when she comes back to work afterward, she says her coworkers even notice how much she enjoys the program.
For those with the time and desire to make a postive impact on local youth, TeamMates is looking for adults who are willing to spare a half-hour to an hour each week of the school year with a student.
“It would be good for parents who have kids gone away to college,” said Cox, saying they can reinforce what their mentee’s parents are likely already telling them. Any safe, caring and responsible adult can be a good mentor, though.
Applications can be filled out online at teammates.org.