Sisters Courtney and Cathy Mapes of Alva have been recognized for their volunteer efforts as 2017-18 Academic All-State Alumni and Boren Mentoring Initiative Mentors, respectively, providing academic support and encouragement to children in the Stillwater community while they were attending Oklahoma State University. They are the daughters of Jeff and Michelle Mapes of Alva.

Courtney Mapes, who recently earned her bachelor's degree in animal science at OSU, served three years as a mentor to Eden, a Stillwater Middle School student, and volunteered her senior year as a mentor to Shyanne, a fifth-grade student from Richmond Elementary School. Recognized as one of 14 Outstanding Seniors at OSU, Courtney Mapes also served as the 2017-18 Boren Mentoring Initiative liaison at OSU, promoting mentoring opportunities to fellow students.

Cathy Mapes, who completed her freshman year as an animal science major, served as a Boren Mentoring Initiative Mentor for Chloe, a fifth grader at Richmond Elementary. Like her sister, she spends at least an hour a week volunteering one-to-one with her mentee. Cathy Mapes is also active in Chi Omega Sorority and the President's Leadership Council.

The mentoring program is administered by the David and Molly Boren Mentoring Initiative, a program of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma's public schools.

"Mentoring has held great impact on me during my three-and-a-half years of the Boren program," Courtney Mapes said. "Working with (Program Director) Beverly Woodrome and my mentees has definitely served as a highlight of my time at OSU, and I am so grateful to be able to carry these experiences into my outlook as a post graduate."

Courtney Mapes said the highlight of the program was seeing both mentees open up and progress during their time together. "Mentoring is a good tool to make college students focus on something aide from academics, which can be hard at times. I know especially during finals week, it was always of great relief to be able to take a break and go spend time with my mentee for a short morning. I would highly recommend any student capable to take part in a mentoring program."

Cathy Mapes' favorite activities with her mentee included making a friendship bracelet, coloring and getting to know each other by talking. "The bracelet we made is very special to me because it will remind me of this experience," she said.

"If you like having an impact on someone's life, specifically a younger child, mentoring is something one should get involved with. Not only will one help a child grow through this experience but the mentor themselves will have the opportunity to grow as an individual," Cathy Mapes added. "I believe it is more than a community service project but a bonding experience that can change the life of many individuals."

This summer, Courtney Mapes will travel to New Zealand and Italy and plans to work and apply to medical school. Cathy Mapes began the summer studying abroad in New Zealand. The rest of the summer she will be taking a college class at Northwestern University in Alva as well as working for the Animal Science Department in Stillwater. She will also help her family with harvest and working cattle.

"We are proud of Courtney and Cathy Mapes for consistently modeling integrity, leadership and service in all areas of their lives," Woodrome said.

Cathy and her mentee proudly show their handmade friendship bracelets they made for each other.

For more information about mentoring programs, contact Beverly Woodrome at 405-236-0006 or visit http://www.okmentors.org.