Within the community center of Mineola Village Hall, in front of the stage decorated from Christmas, a small group is practicing the theater skills they have developed over the past month. There may be a difference in age from the college seniors who are passing their experience on to the children who range from second grade to fifth grade but the students share a common bond and an affinity for performing.

Twice a week, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., for four weeks, seven seniors from Adelphi University have been meeting with seven children from the Mineola elementary schools to practice theater arts skills through a mentoring program designed to promote self-esteem and personal growth through a variety of theater games and playmaking techniques.

Each hour and a half session consisted of students warming up, sharpening their theater skills and then the children would pair up with their mentors to work on short plays they would perform on the final day of the program.

The mentors are Adelphi theater arts majors and the proteges are children from the Mineola School District who have an interest in developing theatre skills. During the course of the program, the mentors and the children developed a special bond, sharing their interests in the learning experience.

Perhaps the most important goal of the program, however, was building the self-esteem of the children who were encouraged to strengthen their ability to give over to creative expression without fear of failure. The children also learned communication skills and the ability to work well with others.

"The kids were hesitant to begin with, but really came out of their shells," said Suzanne Skaflestad of Mineola Youth and Family Services, the agency which recruited the students for the program.

The program succeeded in providing children with one on one attention and enabling the children to share interests with the older students they could look up to. The program proved to be a beneficial experience for both the Mineola students and their Adelphi mentors.

Adelphi theater arts faculty advisor Maggie Lally said her students benefited from the program by sharing their theater skills with the children. "It's about outreach, giving back to the community by using their skills to make a difference in someone's life," she said.

"It was amazing. It made me feel so good," said Adelphi student and mentor Lisa Gould, who worked with her protege Francesca Pisano, who said she had a lot of fun in the program.

For the older and younger students, the program provided a forum for fun and enthusiasm for three hours a week regardless of the difficulties that come with growing up.

The younger children received the precious gift of self-esteem as they were encouraged to be themselves. Lally said it was cool for the younger students to act and share experiences with their older counterparts.

Besides practicing theater arts skills, the mentors and the proteges also formed friendships as they worked toward the common goal of sharpening their skills and learning.

"It's very hard now for me to leave," said Alyssa Hochbrueckner, who was mentored by Adelphi student Meghan Connor.

The Adelphi mentors thrived in the responsibility of being a role model and teacher. "It was kind of scary at first but I got a nice kid. He kind of reminds me of me when I was a kid," said Steve Cohen, who mentored second grade student Antonio Pisano.

On the final day of the program, the mentors and proteges practiced the plays they worked on for a month. Although they wouldn't be meeting again, they take with them the skills they developed and many memories of working together.

Adelphi Youth Empower Program

Maggie Lally - Adelphi Youth Empowerment Project Advisor

Suzanne Skaflestad - Director, Mineola Youth

Thomas O'Brien - Technical Director

Mark Schager - Mineola Youth Counselor

Ed Paley - Asistant Director, Mineola Youth

Melanie Moss, volunteer

The Incorporated Village of Mineola

Nassau County Youth Board

Woof!

Anna - Alyssa L. Hochbrueckner

Fluffy - Meghan Connor

Presidential Fury

President Tenbroeck - Antonio R. Pisano

Soccer Ball - Steve Cohen

Snow

Sandy - Julia Fitzgerald

Lizy - Kristen Beckmann

New Adventures

Rocky - Kimberly A. Segura

Sam - Lindsey Pohlman

Clumsy Eugene and the Talking Pants

Jean - Marco F. Bevilacqua

Eugene - Ben Gooch

The Time Machine

Mrs. Monkey - Emily Vandestouwee

Eillie and Elephant - Jessica Clunn

Pal's First Home

Jessica - Francesca A. Pisano

Jane - Lisa Gould