Community-Based Mentor and Youth of the Year

2010-06-01

Lake Koenig is our “Youth of the Year.” She is a fifth grader who is a high honor roll student and the secretary of her school’s Student Council. She also plays clarinet in the school band and plays basketball. Lake is a thoughtful child who has a very positive outlook on life, even though she herself has faced some adversity.

Sue Laskowski has been a mentor with our organization since 1985 – 25 years! In that time, she has invested more than 6,500 hours mentoring four female youth; each time staying matched until the youth graduated high school. Her current match with Lake started in September 2005. Lake had brothers who were also matched, so when she turned 7 she was more than ready for her chance at having a mentor.

As Sue describes her match to Lake, “this match made in heaven began over 4 years ago. Lake is a very giving person, not asking for anything in return. She is an excellent student… and enjoys challenges, pursuing goals to completion without hesitation.”

Lake’s comments about Sue include, “Sue is a very nice person and if you pick her that would show that all her years of being nice have finally paid off. She takes two hours out of a very busy life to spend time with me, of all people, it’s me. But in those two hours come some of the happiest memories of my life.”

Lake and Sue have been meeting every Wednesday night since then. The fact that they live in rural Oconto County, with 30 miles separating them, never seems to deter their plans to get together. They are giving of their time to others; brightening the lives of people they come in contact with. They write letters to two elderly ladies in assisted living homes, as well as to a soldier stationed in Iraq. They volunteer at the local library where they spend each Wednesday evening; and they top the night off by going for ice cream and talking.

Their bond includes a special gift each year. Sue says, “At the end of the year, Lake makes a special gift for her teacher. This year, Lake is working on a cross stitch baby bib to give as a gift to her teacher. Last year, we designed the seasonal display for the front entrance to the Lakewood Library using spring craft items. We have been keeping a scrapbook since the first day we met. It has been fun to see the advancement in her projects. Besides our many hours at the library, Lake and I have done many things together: crafting, painting, mini golfing, baking, shopping, fishing, photography, dining out, practicing spelling, as well as enjoying an occasional manicure or movie.”

Lake provides further explanation of the teacher gift… “We are cross stitching a bib that has a cute baby yellow duck on it who stomps in a puddle.”

They have kept a scrap book that chronicles their relationship. The smiles on each of their faces are a testimony of how much this mentoring relationship has added and enriched both their lives.

Sue summarizes her match relationship by stating, “Lake has taught me to always have a positive view of everything we do and take advantage of every opportunity. I couldn’t have been any more blessed to have the best little sister in the world!”

And Lake shares similar feelings with, “This is just a little of what we do together, but it matters the world to me. I wish I had more time with her, but I am grateful for the time I do spend with her.”

If you take a moment to think about Lake’s statement that their time together is “some of the “happiest memories in her life,” this is what Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about – bringing experiences to a youth that create lasting memories. This is the foundation we hope to provide each youth impacted by Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Sue Laskowski is a true Mentor. Thank you Sue! Lake is truly a “Youth of the Year” with a bright future. Thank you Lake and to Lake’s family for sharing their daughter with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

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