With a score of 51-25, students from Success High School earned bragging rights in the team’s defeat of Ft. Hood’s U.S. Army Signal Company 207 in a friendly game of flag football.
The game marks the start of a campus mentoring program and is the first in a series of student vs. soldier sports competitions. The soldiers from Fort Hood are part of the Supporting,Teaching and Reaching Students (STARS) Mentoring Program designed to support students who would benefit from the positive influence a mentor can bring into their life.
“Everyone can reflect on a moment and/or a person in their life that made them make a decision to turn right instead of left,” U.S. Army First Sergeant Bryan Miller said. “We want these students to know that they matter, that it’s important they follow through with a commitment to themselves and graduate.”
Miller credits his grandparents as his mentors and said if they didn’t sign him up for the military 18 years ago, he’s certain he’d be in jail, on drugs or even dead.
Eight mentors from Signal Company 207, a division of the U.S. Army that provides tactical internet infrastructure worldwide, carpool twice a month to visit their mentees. For the occasions when it isn’t feasible to drive, the company of technology soldiers is exploring using Skype.
“As a technology company. I’d like to use technology as a way to extend our reach and bridge any relationship gaps while demonstrating how our careers serve our country,” said U.S. Army Captain David Sanchez, company commander.
Soldiers, staff and students endorse the mentor program as a meaningful matchup. Success football team member Justin Sledge, a senior, is looking forward to beginning a relationship with one of the mentors from Signal Company 207 and said it can help him make a decision for his future.
In the coming months, the soldiers and students will meet again on the basketball court and then in the Spring on the soccer field.
“The football game was an overwhelmingly positive experience. A loss never felt so rewarding,” said Sanchez. “We can’t wait for basketball season! We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Success in the development and mentorship of the students.”
