NHS Counselor Honored at Norwalk Mentor Program Celebration 2025
Congratulations to Shanda Baskin, a school counselor at Norwalk High School, who received the Liaison of the Year Award at the Norwalk Mentor Program Celebration 2025!
The Norwalk Mentor Program honored Baskin for her unwavering dedication to the Norwalk Mentor Program. Every year, Baskin helps coordinate two special events – the Fall Welcome Back Breakfast and the End of the Year Ice Cream Social.
The Liaison of the Year Award is presented to a school liaison who is dedicated to all things pertaining to mentoring at their school building. The school liaison is communicative with the mentors as well as the mentees of the Norwalk Mentor Program. They assist with overseeing the matches, ensuring that mentors are scheduled, and provide resources to support the matches.
Norwalk High School has the most mentor-mentee matches in Norwalk Public Schools.
Greg Burnett facilitated the celebration with Ralph Valensizi representing the district on behalf of Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella. The event also included a mentor-mentee panel featuring four NPS students and their mentors.
- Mentor Drew Ferrara and Mentee Jacob, a 7th grader - matched for the last 4 years.
- Mentor Eva Beau and Mentee Anastasia, a 5th grader - matched for 3 years. Beau has been a mentor for over 15 years in the program.
- Mentor Mitchell Reichgut and Mentees Christopher, an 8th grader, and Yovany, a 4th grader - matched for 3 years and 1 year, respectively.
- Mentor Emily Adams and Mentee Josie, a 5th grader - matched for 3 years.
Thank you to all the amazing mentors who take the time to form these special bonds with our NPS students. Your mentorship is much appreciated!