Mayor David Glascock Declares January 2023 as Mentoring Awareness Month and Honors Sheila Bellew as Outstanding Mentor

The Town of Beaver is proud to support our local mentoring program by honoring mentors throughout the Mentoring Awareness month of January.

Mentoring measurably improves the lives of individuals and families in Oklahoma with strong impact on rates of school attendance, avoidance of substance abuse and reductions in violence. Youth engaged in an active mentoring relationship are 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college and 52 percent less likely to skip a day of school. Youth who are mentored are 46 percent less likely to start using drugs and 27 percent less likely to start drinking, according to the National Mentoring Partnership.

This year the Town of Beaver would like to recognize and honor Sheila Bellew as outstanding mentor. Sheila was nominated and highly recommended by Linda Downing. Sheila and her NHS daughter both started mentoring 3 years ago. She mentors weekly for 1st, 2nd and 5th grade.  She said the children enjoy reading, crafts and games but the main goal is just some 1 on 1 time with the students.

Linda Downing, who has mentored for many years, now organizes the mentor program whether it is running errands, filling in as a mentor or getting special events in order. Linda stated, “To see the kids matriculate in to Jr. High and then go into High School and become Cheerleaders, Basketball players, softball players, outstanding singers and just enjoying life is very rewarding to the mentors. We have had some really good success stories.” Linda added that Sheila is a great mentor as well as a great organizer. “She is willing to help wherever needed and is concerned about the children and wants them to succeed in feeling good about themselves. She is very deserving of this award.”

The Town of Beaver would like to congratulate Sheila Bellew for outstanding leadership and mentoring and we also thank each mentor for their time and service to our children in the community. Every child is deserving of our time, attention, education and love.

Thank you, Shannon Mitchell, Town Administrator