When Marie “Nanny” Lay walks through the doors of the HOSTS room at South Shaver Elementary School, she is met with smiles and hugs from the students she mentors.

For the past 15 years as a reading mentor in the Helping One Student To Succeed program, it is a routine of which her students have been accustomed.

“You can see the effect she has on the students she mentors,” said Carol Coulston, South Shaver’s peer facilitator. “Her students come in to the classroom ready to give and receive a hug – and soon after that – they are quickly engaged in learning activities with her.”

And at age 91, she shows no signs of slowing down.

“You’re only old as you feel,” Lay said. “These kids keep me young.”

Many senior citizens feel the same way about participating in the HOSTS program. More than 50 mentors in the program are age 80 and over.

“It goes to show that you are never too old to mentor,” Coulston said. “They are full of wisdom and can help students learn and develop. At times, they serve as a surrogate grandmother or grandfather and help these students to grow in self-esteem and confidence, as well as their reading ability.”

The HOSTS program is currently offered at 19 Pasadena ISD schools, and being a part of the program is easy for volunteers. After attending an orientation for information and training, each individual can decide what day they mentor and how much time they spend with their HOSTS students. Most volunteers give from 30 minutes to one hour each week.

Not only do the HOSTS children continue to see their reading skills shine, but their self-confidence also continues to grow through the bonds created with their mentors and through continued encouragement provided by their community.

“A number of our students struggle in reading,” said Lewis. “Their unique circumstances create a barrier to learning which can only be overcome when teachers and volunteers work together to provide the extra help needed to build that strong reading foundation. HOSTS mentors make the difference, and we truly appreciate the people who give of their time to help our students improve their reading skills.”

Mentors in Pasadena ISD, who are at least 80-years-old, include:

 Freeman Elementary

Norma Plaisance, Harvey Bjornaas, Winna Bjornaas

Gardens Elementary

Dorothy Welch, Tommie Korenek, Josephine Bland

Garfield Elementary

Marguerite Bimel

Genoa Elementary

Paul Percival

 Golden Acres Elementary

Rob Burgher, Helen Randle

Matthys Elementary

Minnie Roberson

Morales Elementary

Aleen Jones

Parks Elementary

Howell Stone

Pomeroy Elementary

Esther Shaffer

South Shaver Elementary

Marie Lay, Dorothy Hamilton, Henry Olexa, Sammie Sanders, Phyllis Schriever, Barbara Digges, Joe Williams, Elizabeth Horn, Bettye Fagan, Marge Colello 

Sparks Elementary

Howell Stone, Ruth Trout, Doris Beck, Mildred Myers

Stuchbery Elementary

Peggy Smith, Virginia Sattler, Herb Smith  

Williams Elementary

Antonio Patino, Frances Shuttleworth, Jovita Jessup 

Young Elementary

Genna Harman, Lucille Harris, Ed Millin, Jack Christy

 To become a Pasadena ISD HOSTS mentor and to find a campus near you, contact the district’s HOSTS coordinator Ginger Lay at 713-740-0051 or e-mail her at glay@pasadenaisd.org.