Norene Miller Encouraging Younger Students to Go to College

2017 Nov 15

Norene Miller of Wernersville, Pa. is volunteering through the Lebanon Valley Education Partnership (LVEP) to encourage other, younger students to enroll in college. Miller is a graduate of Conrad Weiser Area High School and is pursuing a bachelor of science in early childhood education and special education.

LVEP was established in 1989 between Lebanon Valley College and the Lebanon School District to encourage children in the city of Lebanon to study, stay in school, and aspire to attend college.

Beginning in the eighth grade, students are identified as partners in the program. Partners are students who are doing well academically, but have financial or other circumstances that may prevent them from attending college. The partners are matched with current Lebanon Valley College students, such as Miller, who serve as mentors throughout the students' high school years.

To facilitate a successful transition to college, Miller and the other student volunteers serve as mentors at various programs and activities held throughout the year. Each meeting has a theme meant to help equip students for their post-secondary pursuits as well as life in general. Topics such as identity, perseverance, time and stress management and more are covered through teaching and immersive experiences that might include the creation of art or tackling a personal challenge course in the woods. Mentors and mentees stay in-touch between meetings via emails, text messages and even hand written notes.

The partnership also provides great financial benefits for mentees. If students enroll in college preparatory classes and maintain a good academic standing while in high school, they become eligible for tuition scholarships at Lebanon Valley College. Scholarship funds are raised each year by dedicated individuals and business members through the Achievement Challenge Golf Tournament.