The POBJFKHS seniors enrolled in the Spanish 5H Adelphi course with instructor Christina Visbal, worked at developing a mentoring program that's been three years in the making, called the Amigos That Mentor, a/k/a the ATM Program.

Although most are familiar with "ATM" as representing a place to do personal banking, the upperclassmen studying Spanish are referred to as the "Amigos That Mentor." These students have worked closely with their instructor and adjunct lecturer, Señora Visbal and the school Social Worker, Betty Iannotti, to go through "basic training" in the art of mentoring. After extensive reading, group discussion and role-playing activities in the target language, the students were ready to embark on accepting their first challenge.

The first challenge was to correspond, in Spanish, with lower level students studying Spanish, with whom they were randomly matched up as their "pen pal in residence." After getting to know one another by exchanging personal letters through their teacher, they were ready to take the next step. The second challenge was for the "Amigos That Mentor" to actually meet his/her "Amigos That Matters." The students met at a culturally significant, social "reuníon" a/k/a " ... una fiesta."

From that point on, the "ATM" upperclassmen were expected to interact intermittently, with their "Amigo That Matters" during school-related activities throughout the school year. Some took on the role of a tutor, others began a friendship, while many acted simply as another person in the school with whom they recognized and shared a connection through the study of a foreign language.

Although a mentoring program could be taught as a class within itself, Visbal has built the idea and responsibility of mentoring another individual into the Spanish 5H Adelphi Curriculum. This idea, or program, is aimed to help bridge the gap between upper level and lower level students studying Spanish at the high school.

The program advocates acceptance, tolerance and diversity. Through writing letters, gathering socially and planning fundraisers together, the students involved in the program were developing through character education and by reinforcing their Spanish. Taking responsibility for oneself setting a positive example, acting as a role-model and trying to act as a mentor to another individual, helps build character.

The ATM students practiced share decision-making by electing to hold several fundraisers to benefit a charitable cause. They held several bake sales, but their greatest success came from selling a bilingual doll, distributed by AVON Inc., that repeats and teaches 10 different expressions in Spanish. This little doll, that speaks Spanish and English is called, "El Angel Miguelito."

Avon representative Debbie Garrity of Huntington supported Visbal's idea. And a lucrative idea it was, selling almost 100 dolls or as they say in Spanish for dolls muñecas. Thanks to Garrity, who generously waived her commission for this charitable, community event, the ATM program was able to raise a total of $356 to use to donate to a good cause.

The students in the ATM program decided to donate the profits from the sale of the bilingual doll from Avon to the National Spanish Honor Society of POBJFKHS. The Spanish Honor Society is advised by Kimberly Sussman, under the supervision of Department Chairperson Elizabeth Welshofer. In turn, the Spanish Honor Society will use these funds to support a world cause known as the "Save the Children" Foundation. With the donation of $356 the foundation will reasonably be able to support up to five children for at least year in Bolivia.

The POBKFLJS Spanish students in the ATM Program and the National Spanish Honor Society wish to thank all those individuals who helped support the cause and hope that the bilingual Avon doll, , "El Angel Miguelito" brings good luck, joy and a more authentic Spanish accent to those people who now enjoy it with their families and friends.