This month's student-mentor spotlight is on Karl Schlobohm and Bram Yasho, matched since May 2020.
Karl Schlobohm, Mentor
What do you consider to be your hometown? How long have you lived in Fernandina Beach?
I grew up in Montclair, NJ, a suburb of New York City. I have lived in several different states and countries. I moved to Fernandina Beach in 2018 to continue my teaching career.
What made you decide to mentor with Take Stock?
Mentors are an invaluable resource for discovering paths to success in life. I always remember the mentors who helped me shape myself into the person I am today. My girlfriend’s son is a recent graduate of Take Stock, and I learned more about the organization in my second year of teaching. The more I discovered about the opportunities, the more I wanted to be a part of it and/or support it somehow. That year, I recommended four of my 8th grade students to the program, of which three were accepted. When I reached out to Robin Lentz about the possibility of volunteering as a mentor, she informed me about the opportunity to mentor one of my recent middle school graduates, Bram. I remember seeing so much promise in him as a student, and I flocked to the chance of being able to continue being a part of his academic journey through high school.
How many students have you mentored?
Bram is my first mentee.
What have you gained from mentoring Bram?
I've discovered that the most significant resource you can give to anyone is your time. I’ve learned the importance of setting aside time every week to contribute whatever I can to someone’s journey. I’ve also gained a friend who I, coincidentally, share a lot of interests with. I’ve truly valued the time I’ve been able to spend with him just discussing seemingly everything under the sun. I’m really proud of his progress and of the adult he has become, and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to watch that unfold.
Bram Yasho, Yulee High School Senior
Why did you want to apply for Take Stock?
I heard about Take Stock in eighth grade and it just sounded like a really amazing opportunity. I wanted to apply mainly because the idea of having a mentor who was always in your corner sounded like it would be so helpful while I was trying to navigate high school. I had no idea that my middle school teacher (my favorite teacher I’ve ever had) would end up being my mentor.
What have you learned from your relationship with your mentor, Mr. Karl?
I've learned so much! Mr. Karl has been so helpful in learning how to manage my time more effectively, set small goals, build better habits, and establish good relationships with my teachers. That will be a huge help in the long run. He also taught me about how amazing Radiohead is, and now they’re one of my favorite bands of all time!
What is your favorite memory from TSIC?
During my sophomore year Mr. Karl and I went to Island Falls mini-golf for a TSIC event where we played against my brother and his TSIC mentor. We were pretty neck and neck the entire time but then Finley and Mike started getting a decent lead and the only chance we had at a comeback would be if Mr. Karl or I got a hole in one. Miraculously, I actually got a hole in one and we were destroying Finley and Mike for the rest of the course. It was so much fun and we all got ice cream afterwards.
What are your plans after you graduate high school and TSIC?
I really want to go to FSU and major in communication sciences and disorders. In the long term, though, I want to become a speech language pathologist and help kids overcome their speech impediments. It actually hits close to home because all throughout second grade I couldn’t pronounce my Rs, and all of my classmates thought thatmy brother and I were British because of it.
