"I wish I was a rock star," Kriss groused jokingly. Today Kriss and another volunteer mentor, Charlie, received the "Heart of the Mentor" award from the Wenatchee High School College Mentor Program.

I got the "Scholarship Rockstar" Award. I feel thrilled and touched.

Andrea, college mentor program coordinator, was giving out awards. I perked up when she said, "And this year, she even taught her mentee to drive...and hemmed her prom dress!" She was talking about me.

Today we attended the Partner Appreciation Luncheon at Ohme Gardens. Sitting in the hot sun (88 degrees), Kriss and I retreated to the shade. Speeches went on-and-on. They ran out of water. People fanned themselves with the program. The College Mentor Program was last.

I passed notes to Kriss: "I want to leave" and "I'm melting!" Glad we stayed.

Since 2006, I have been a volunteer college mentor at Wenatchee High School. I help low income, minority students write essays for college and scholarship applications. Also teach them organization and the importance of completing deadlines early.

Often they are the first person in their family to go to college. It thrills me to send these kids to college.