The future looks golden when we meet dazzling young ladies like Santana Roberts, the author of this guest post!  Santana is an energetic friend to the Over My Shoulder Foundation. Read her post to find out how Mentorology has allowed Santana to create some life-changing experiences for herself already. Now, Santana graciously offers to help spread our MENTOROLOGY mentoring message and dedicates herself to following her dreams and helping others along the way.  -Over My Shoulder Foundation Co-Founder Dawn Carroll

The definition of the word “Mentor” as stated in Webster Online Dictionary is a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. The second definition is an influential senior, sponsor, or supporter.

To me, the word mentor means so much more than a wise teacher, but a special person that you bond with and learn from. Having a mentor is a life-changing experience and can last from a short term relationship to a lifelong friendship. Your mentor doesn’t have to be older than you, the idea of a mentor is to learn from and accept guidance and knowledge.

Today as a high school senior I would not be where I am right now if it wasn’t for the many mentors in my life who have continued to challenge me to reach new goals each year. A simple phone call three years ago from Adriane (Ari) Meyers, the creator of My Purpose Party Service Learning Youth Initiative (MPP), challenged me to become the first teen in RI to create a dream party that combines my talents with a charity I feel passionate about. My Purpose Party has introduced me to plethora of people from various careers that has inspired and changed my life in a positive way.

MPP is about passion, purpose, and project.  My passion is singing, my purpose is hunger and my project is a concert. For 2 years and 1,000 hours, I created 2 concerts with a farmers market. I recruited over 60 volunteers ages 7 to 84 who showcased their talents from art work to singing. I led meetings, designed flyers, held practices and marketed my event on the radio. It was all possible with the Mentorology of MPP. Event planner Jim Verity, President of ProVisions Ends Hunger Rhode Island, guided my plans for success but always let me take the lead. We raised $5,500 and collected over 500 pounds of food. I have learned to conduct meetings, speak to adults, organize and market events. Here’s a slideshow about My Purpose Party. Because of the work I did, in 2010 I was the first teen in the US to be honored with the Leader of Change Award by The Foundation of Social Change. I want to continue using my voice in a positive way to affect my world.

I learned a lot through MPP but the best part was being mentored by Grammy Artist Patti Austin (a co-founder of the Over My Shoulder Foundation).  She helped my event to be pretty amazing by singing a duet with me at the event! You can watch me and Patti sing together here.

For more information to have your own My Purpose Party that will have a lasting effect on your life email Ari Meyers at mypurposeparty@gmail.com. I hope that more teenagers like me get to experience Mentorology with the help of Over My Shoulder Foundation!