Volume 18, Number 1, Fall 2007

Mentor and Mentee Get Fit, Reach Goals Together

Jennifer Morse

Sammi Michmerhuizen, 16, of Grand Haven, was the very last person to cross the finish line in the Ottawa County Mentoring Collaborative’s Miles for Mentoring 5K race last fall. She walked the course for the 5K, but now, one year later, she has committed to training and preparing to run the annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run with Governor Granholm. Sammi and her mentor, Laura Schleede, 25, of Spring Lake, have been selected to take part in Mentoring: A Running Start, a program of the Governor’s Council on Fitness. Sammi and Laura were introduced a year ago when they were matched through MSU Extension’s Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring program. Their weekly visits have led to a close friendship that is apparent to anyone who has seen them together. Laura saw the impact that the run had last year on another Journey youth, Jamie Whipple. Laura asked Sammi if she would like to try it and they decided to apply for this year’s run. Sammi and Laura learned that they were one of the selected teams at the end of June. They are excited to get fit and tackle a large goal together.

On Labor Day, Sammi and Laura will join Governor Granholm and be among 30 mentor matches from around the state to run across the Mackinac Bridge. This is a tremendous goal for Sammi because while she is an active teen, she is not currently a runner. The five-mile run over the bridge will require her to spend the next two months training, and Laura is thrilled to share this journey with her. This adventure will include a visit to the Governor’s residence in Lansing, training and support from the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, a weekend stay on Mackinac Island, dinner with the Governor and First Gentleman and tours of the island. Corporate sponsors cover the costs including new shoes, T-shirts, warm ups and all of the festivities. The culmination of the weekend is when the matches wake up at 3 a.m. and ride the ferry to the bridge with the Governor. The summer of training will pay off as they lead thousands of walkers across the bridge, an annual Michigan tradition.

This is the second year of the Mentoring: A Running Start program. The Governor and First Gentleman Mulhern are active mentors and mentoring advocates. The Governor started Mentor Michigan while she was the Attorney General. Mr. Mulhern took over leadership of the initiative when he became chair of the Michigan Community Service Commission. Mr. Mulhern is also chair of the Council on Physical Fitness. The idea to bring mentors and mentees together to run the bridge was embraced by both Mentor Michigan and the Council on Physical Fitness and the first year was a resounding success. Laura and Sammi recently met with Jamie and her mentor Michele Ripka to talk about the run and learn from them. Jamie has offered to help Sammi train and Michele provided Laura with tips to navigate this incredible experience.

When you first meet Sammi Michmerhuizen, you are struck by her warm smile and infectious spirit. She is full of life and loves to share her hopes and dreams with others. Recently, she spent three days at MSU 4-H Exploration Days learning about horses and how to care for them. She also became a volunteer for the Humane Society. Sammi hopes to become a veterinarian’s assistant when she grows up. Sammi was referred to Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring by the Ottawa County Family Court/ Juvenile Services. She had made some poor decisions and the court staff thought that she would benefit from another caring adult role model. Sammi and her family agreed and soon she and Laura were matched. Sammi is no longer involved with the court and opportunities like the annual bridge run increase her chances of making good decisions in the future. The bridge run challenges both mentor and mentee to set a goal and take steps to reach it, a skill that can be replicated in school, work and other situations.

Sammi says, “Working hard on this will make it mean more. It won’t be easy but we can do it together. I’m excited to do this with Laura!”

The program staff members at Journey 4-H see Sammi as a future leader. She has a natural charisma and the ability to inspire others. This is an opportunity for her to expand her leadership skills by learning how to set a difficult goal and reach it.