Another exciting club is the
Mentoring Club, dedicated to
helping youngsters. Originally
part of the Big Brother, Big Sister
program, the Mentoring Club is
now an independent, student-run
organization that partners MMA
students with Adams Elementary
School children in Castine. Volunteers
meet their mentees at the Adams School
a few days a week to help with homework, visit
classes, or play on the playground. During the
2012-2013 academic year, the Mentoring Club, led by
Keenan Eaton and Haley Hunt Griffin, had 20 active members (double the number of
previous years). "We are becoming better known on campus and hope to provide more Adams School children
with mentors next year!" said Griffin.
The Mentoring Club held a few "Mentoring Lunches" at MMA so mentors and mentees could get to know
each other better over a meal. The children got the chance to become more familiar with MMA as well as their
mentors. Along with "Mentoring Lunches," the club holds a "Parents' Night Out," an idea created by Eaton.
During the event, mentors watch the children for a few hours so parents can go out for the evening. Activities,
outdoor games, and a movie make up the evening fun.
In February 2013, the Student Business Logistics Association (SBLA) hosted the Junior Achievement Titan
Challenge (JA Titan). MMA President William Brennan welcomed the students before they moved on to the
business simulation challenge. Five teams of high school students competed on the online business simulator
against teams statewide in order to develop a business involving R&D, marketing, and capital investments.
This first MMA -JA Titan Challenge was a notable success.
SBLA also assists the Student Environmental Activists (SEA) host an annual E-waste drive. Most Aprils,
the two clubs oversee the collection and disposal of old electronics such as computers, monitors, phones, or
radios. Citizens and students bring their unwanted or broken devices to a designated spot on campus where a
contracted E-waste company retrieves them. SBLA students track the business side of the collection
while the SEA Club collects the E-waste.
Currently, 42 students serve on the Castine Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. They respond to calls on and
off campus at all hours. During power outages and tree blowdowns, these volunteers cut up downed trees,
check on community members, and direct traffic. The MMA volunteers wear their fire/rescue
badges proudly and serve with passion and compassion.
Other MMA students quietly volunteer to help local citizens without belonging to a formal organization.
Some volunteer to help at Alumni events and many have been part of the fundraising phone-a-thons over the
years. No matter how the students help out, it is clear that they find ways to branch out and get involved in the
Academy and in the town. There's "plenty to do!"
25 MARINER 2013 - Issue 2

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