[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]Specific. Measureable. Achievable. Relevant. Timely.

In September 2016, a dozen junior-year students from Katella High School sat down with their workplace mentors from Anaheim-based distribution company Bunzl to outline their S.M.A.R.T goals. The task kicked off the third year of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Beyond School Walls partnership, in which high school students and corporate employees meet in facilitated sessions that encourage students to develop goals, prepare for school and be ready for college and career.

Some students wanted to score high on AP exams, while others hoped to land a part-time job at age 16 or increase community service hours. Each set distinct, individual goals, but there was a uniting factor: All pointed toward a successful future with a higher education and profession in mind.

In honor of National Mentoring Month this January and as a way to motivate students to continue to pursue their goals, Bunzl awarded their mentees with $500 scholarships upon graduation and completion of the Beyond School Walls program in 2018.

“Continuing to learn and educate yourself beyond high school is critical [… whether that means] college, a continuing education program or accredited school,” said Scot Gregory, general manager of Bunzl. “… We look forward to [providing] scholarships to the students.”[/fwp-anim-text][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]

“I’m thankful to the students for opening up to share with us a little bit about yourself and your challenges, opportunities, dreams and desires. … I wouldn’t be surprised if 30, 40, 50 years from now you look back and say ‘I remember when [my mentor] said this. Those nuggets you take with you are going to be very meaningful throughout your life.” -Scot Gregory, general manager of Bunzl.

[/fwp-anim-text][fwp-anim-text animated=”true” animation=”enter right move 10px over 1s after”]“He really opened my eyes about my future and what I should do to improve it,” said 16-year-old Juan Galvez of his mentor Scot. “He is a one-of-a kind mentor and I feel grateful to be his mentee and learn everything from him. I hope that after high school we can still be connected and instead of being mentor and mentee, we can be great friends.”

Thank you to Bunzl for supporting and motivating students to achieve and exceed their goals!

Learn more about Beyond School Walls here.[/fwp-anim-text][/vc_column][/vc_row]