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MENTORS EASE THE TRANSITION
FROM HIGH SCHOOL
by Steven Kissinger TO THE FUTURE

E rick Hidalgo is a senior at Immokalee High School who
was admitted early to Florida Gulf Coast University,
where he is enrolled full time. His classes keep him very
busy, but he still makes time to tutor younger students at Lake

Trafford Elementary School and Immokalee Middle School.

Hidalgo knows that any person can make a big difference in

a young life. “The middle school students especially, they see me

as a role model,” he said. “They’re deciding things about their

future. They know I’m taking all these college classes. I feel like

I inspire them.”

Now, the 18-year-old Immokalee native is on the other side

of that emotional equation: He has been assigned a mentor.

The Immokalee Foundation board member John Costigan

will fill that role for Hidalgo, who said he will be looking to

Costigan for “life guidance. … I could use some advice about

the transition from high school to college life.” Hidalgo, who

has been a Take Stock in Children student since his sophomore

year of high school, plans to attend the University of Florida

next fall to study electrical engineering.

“A lot of Take Stock students come from low-income families

and don’t have anyone with college experience,” Costigan said.

“They haven’t heard conversations around the dinner table ERICK HIDALGO,TIF STUDENT, AND ROB CHURCHILL, BONITA BAY CLUB ASSISTANT PRO

about the ACT and other college-related topics. Their parents

want the best for them, and the mentors help fill in the blanks.” Costigan was among those who attended a graduation ceremony

Among other qualities, being a good mentor involves talking at Ave Maria in June, when Mendoza and others were recognized.

to the students about their classes and helping determine what At that time, Mendoza was looking forward to his future military

career paths interest them since “they all have different abilities,” affiliation. “Luis is a wonderful young man with the intelligence,

Costigan said. While Costigan – who earned several degrees character and commitment to make a fine member of the Marine

and is a retired lawyer – certainly can help Hidalgo adjust to the Corps,” Costigan said.

rigors of college, he also was able to usher along mentee Luis “The job of a mentor is to provide advice, support and friendship to a

Mendoza in his transition from high school to the U.S. Marine young student,” Costigan said. His wife, Emily, also is a mentor. “Emily

Corps. Mendoza is now in boot camp. and I enjoy mentoring because it puts a face on the scholarship program

and gives us a very personal connection to the important work of The

Immokalee Foundation,” Costigan said. “We feel the students benefit

from a perspective they might not otherwise see, and we benefit from

feeling we are making a contribution to the success of a very deserving

young person.”

January is National Mentoring Month – a good time to think about

joining The Immokalee Foundation’s volunteers in shaping the future of

a young person.

To learn more about the foundation, volunteering as a mentor,

making a donation, including The Immokalee Foundation in your

estate plans, or for additional information, call 239.430.9122 or visit

www.immokaleefoundation.org.

Steven Kissinger, executive director of The Immokalee Foundation, can be
EMILY COSTIGAN, LUIS MENDOZA, SHERLANDA AUGUSTE, JOHN COSTIGAN reached at steven.kissinger@immokaleefoundation.org.

60 Life in Naples | December 2016