25 student-athletes from three different Montgomery County high schools will be participating in the Student-Athlete Mentor Program (SAMP), created by Joseph Hooks and the 480 Club. SAMP is in its second year and the student-athlete mentors are currently going through leadership training with Adam Bradley’s Lead ‘Em Up to prepare for the program.
The participating student-athletes had to interview in order to be hired for the stipend, which is fully funded by the Montgomery County Department of Health & Humans Services (DHHS). After the student-athletes complete an 8-part Lead ‘Em Up training, they will begin to serve as mentors for the program, mentoring up to 100 local children.
Each student-athlete will be assigned younger students in the area that they will be responsible for mentoring and “leading up” through the duration of the year, through a series of events, in-person visits, frequent communication, and more. The three MCPS high schools involved (Northwest, Seneca Valley, and Watkins Mill) will have a paid supervisor helping organize, coordinating, and supporting their five high school student-athlete mentors.
The program is the first of its kind in our area and has hopes to expand in the future. Last year, 70 children’s parents enrolled in the program in April to receive both the in-person football coaching & mentoring, and virtual check-in component. The Mentee ages ranged from 8-13 years old zip codes served are 20886, 20871, 20876, and 20874. 88% of the children report identifying as African American, 5 % bi-racial and 7% other.
Photo: Genoa Mitchell, Adam Bradley, Isiah Brewster, Jawan Robinson ,Xavier Rivers, Mason Mizzer, Chris Patterson, Bryan Tsetou , Rahmise Jones, Khalid Moulton, William Rivers, DJ Gorham, Nick Estrada,Javen Bailey, Corky Lynch, Zyion Addison,Turiya Savas, Kevin Kaine, Chase Lancaster, Julian Deleon, Anthony Gengerella, Camron Nti, David Davis, Jibreel Frazier