Oh, come on, Jack!

The students I mentor are first generation. So far, all of the Latino students were raised Catholic.

I respect and care for Catholic and Christian students, just as much as the 2-3 atheist students I mentored. With atheists, we have good laughs about religion.

This year, the girl I mentored is an atheist. Gabriela's Catholic mother pickets Planned Parenthood. Since age three, Gaby has lived with her father because her mom is an alcoholic and drug addict. Her mom works in a Catholic church office.

Gaby applied for a scholarship from the same Catholic church.

"That priest owes you, because he didn't pay you last summer when you worked in the church office," I said.

"What sacraments have you done?" the application asked.

"What's a sacrament?" Gaby wondered. I didn't know. "Call your mother," I suggested.

Gaby won a $1,000 scholarship from the local Catholic church. Hooray!

@LiterateHiker Unfortunately, another misunderstanding. I simply asked what kind of interactions not why do you interact. It was a question not a statement. All I know of these girls is what I see on your posting. It is good they are comfortable with a non believer and it is also good to plant seeds. But I do not make negative value judgements, especially for you.
I was also once a 'liberal' Catholic and it took small steps to finally break away so I know the drill.

@JackPedigo
Why do you think I would treat students differently due to their religion? These girls are long-time friends.

Elizabeth told Theresa about me. In May, Teresa asked me to be her mentor starting in September.
Teresa told Brenda, who won $269,545 in scholarships.
Brenda referred Tammy.
Tammy sent Gabriela.

On it goes.

@LiterateHiker Kathleen, There must be something in my communication style that needs improving. When one works with another there is always a difference in how one treats that person due to certain issues and religion is one of them. One has to be more diligent about what one says and does. Parvin had 3 grandkids and she would travel to Richmond VA to spend time with them. There parents were very religious so she had to be careful about not seeming to push her atheism. Nevertheless the mother had concerns about the grandmother planting seeds in her kids and always tried to drive a wedge between Parvin and her son and grandkids. It was a really bad situation and Parvin finally had to tell her son she would no longer travel to Richmond.

@JackPedigo

Jack,

With the girls I mentor, we focus on writing essays, applying for colleges and scholarships, and meeting multiple deadlines.

We don't talk about religion.

Ellatynemouth,

In general, teenages boys mature later than girls. That said, I have seen a few remarkable male high school seniors.

I tried mentoring three boys. They washed out. Boys are not raised to be self-reflective. They expected me to write their essays. The boys were unwilling to do half of the work.

Unlike girls, the boys came unprepared. They refused to write draft essays or jot down ideas.They drew a blank when asked questions about themselves. It was frustrating.

Student essays need to touch hearts and shine, to win scholarships and get into universities:

1. What are your educational and career goals?

2. Who or what has inspired you to reach your goals?

3. Describe a difficulty or challenge in your life, how you overcame it, and what you learned from it.

So, I referred the boys to the program coordinator, for help from someone else. They wound up attending community college. No shame in that.

@LiterateHiker well those two boys did anyhow. If course it's your call and I do agree boys are less mature at that age. But it is just two data points.