Starting the Program

The Hiller Mentoring Program was introduced last year to strengthen connections across the Hopkinton school community, enabling high school students to serve as mentors to Marathon Elementary students.

The idea came from discussions among adjustment counselors at Marathon Elementary School about ways to better support students socially and emotionally through meaningful relationships with older peers.

Administrators had been considering this idea for several years, inspired by the excitement that fills the Marathon School each spring when Hopkinton High School seniors complete their graduation walk through the school halls, sparking conversations about creating a more consistent and lasting connection between schools.

The program was developed as a collaboration between Marathon Elementary and Hopkinton High School last year. Administrators carefully worked through logistics, including transportation, scheduling, age groups, and student participation. 

Former Hopkinton High School Principal Evan Bishop strongly supported the initiative because of its focus on partnerships, leadership, and community-building.

The Goal

Rather than focusing solely on academics, mentors participate in classroom activities, recess, physical education, and everyday social interaction. The goal of the program is to make younger students feel valued, excited about school, and supported by older students within their own town.

The program is made up of Hopkinton High School sophomores and juniors who are paired with a kindergarten or first-grade classroom. Visits take place once a month during Flex Block at the High School, a study period on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Transportation for the program is supported by the Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization (HPTO).

Interest from high school students quickly exceeded expectations. Ultimately, 76 high school students volunteered, enough to support all 28 kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. 

Marathon Elementary Principal Lauren Dubeau feels this program is an amazing opportunity for her students to build connections.

“The students really look forward to when their mentors come, and because the mentors are assigned to be with the same class each visit, they can foster real relationships over time,” said Dubeu.

High school students participated in training that focused on interacting with young children, building relationships, and handling different situations they might encounter.

Hopkinton High School Assistant Principal Laura Theis emphasized that successful mentors are students who bring energy, kindness, and initiative to the role.

“An inviting and helpful nature is crucial to being a successful mentor. We want students who are go-getters and ready to have fun with the kids.”

Impact on Marathon Students

The program’s impact on the Marathon students has been immediate and visible.

“I talked to one parent who said it is her child’s favorite day when their mentors come. It is very special,” said Theis.

Teachers and parents both report that mentoring days are among the most anticipated moments of the month. Students remember their mentors, celebrate their arrivals, and form strong emotional connections with them.

“After the first visit, when the Marathon students saw their mentors pulling in again in the big yellow buses, they started cheering and clapping because they knew their friends were coming,” said Dubeau.

Molly Graziano is one of the sophomore mentors who described what an average day looks like at Marathon:

“As a mentor, we mainly assist the teachers, run learning stations, play with them at recess, or just sit with them while they listen to classroom instruction.”

The relationships built through these interactions help students feel more confident and excited about coming to school. For many children, simply knowing older students care about them creates a stronger sense of belonging within the community.

Dubeau believes “This is one of those programs that students will look back on and remember for a long time.”

Impact on High School Students

While the mentoring program was designed to support younger students, it has also had a powerful effect on the high school mentors themselves.

Administrators hoped mentors would gain leadership experience, confidence, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of what it means to serve as a role model. According to administrators, many students who initially entered the program feeling nervous quickly became deeply invested in it.

“Every time I leave with the High School mentors after our visit, they always ask how soon they can come back, and how they wish to stay even longer,” said Theis.

Mentors often describe the experience as both rewarding and meaningful.

Sophomore Parker Rivera is another mentor for the Marathon students. 

He shared, “I really wanted to be able to make a difference in our community. Ever since a young age growing up in Hopkinton, I wished I could be one of the older kids playing with us at recess and reading us books during class time.”

“I think our most important responsibility is to be role models for the kids. They look up to people older than them, and to be someone they learn from is super cool.”

For many high school students, the experience has strengthened their confidence and sense of responsibility.

“They gain a level of confidence because they are put into a position where they are more of an adult,” said Theis. “The ability to serve as a positive role model for the younger generation is very special to them.”

Moving Forward

Administrators already see opportunities for the Hiller Mentoring Program to continue growing.

School leaders hope to eventually expand mentorship opportunities and potentially create pathways into internships, senior capstone projects, and additional leadership experiences for students interested in education or community service. 

The biggest challenge moving forward remains scheduling and logistics, but enthusiasm surrounding the program continues to grow among students, staff, and families.

“This partnership with the high school has been tremendous, and we look forward to further improving this program in the future,” said Dubeau.

The success of the Hiller Mentoring Program has shown how meaningful relationships between students of different ages can change an entire school community for the better. 

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Maci Ober is a Hopkinton High School senior completing her Senior Capstone Experience with HopNews. This is her third article.

Article 1: Empowering Students: The Impact of RAD Explained
Article 2: A.I.’s Role in Academic Integrity at Hopkinton High School
Article 3: Hiller Mentoring Program Connects Hopkinton Schools
Article 4: Coming soon…