Effingham County High School recognized students and thanked their mentor volunteers at its first end of the year WINS banquet on May 28 at Ebenezer Retreat Center.

WINS, which stands for Winning Intervention Now for Students, is a mentoring program designed to help struggling and at-risk students. Volunteers include teachers, administrators, retired teachers, local businessmen and women and members of the community.  

Three students were recognized at the banquet and received plaques for outstanding improvement in various areas, including behavior and grades.  The student recognized for most improved grades raised her grade point average from a 76 in the first semester to a 97 by the end of the school year. Numerous success stories such as this were shared at the banquet.

Volunteer mentors spend 30 minutes, once a week with their students. According to WINS coordinator Cathy Zipperer, most mentors visit with their students during their lunch period at school. Approximately 65 students and 38 mentors participated in this year’s WINS program.

“The program was very successful due to the volunteers in the community, especially the retired teachers,” Zipperer said. “Next year, I’d like to have a mentor for every student enrolled in the program.”

Following a background check, mentors are provided free training prior to meeting with their student. Anyone interested in participating in WINS can contact Cathy Zipperer at 754-6404 or by email at czipperer@effingham.k12.ga.us.