For those of you who don't know what the Penguin Project is, it's a program that brings together students with special need and their peers without special needs together. Each special needs student/artist is paired up with a mentor, a student without specials needs. The purpose of a mentor is to help guide and support their artist throughout the process of the project. The mentor is to memorize their artists lines, lyrics, choreography, and blocking.

Serving as a mentor the past two years I have learned many things that have helped me to grow as a person and a as a mentor.

1. I've learned to come into new things with an open mind.

When I started the penguin project, I had no clue what to expect. I didn't how much of a challenge it would be, if I would get along with my artists, or if it would even be a good fit for me. What I did know is having an open mind about it would help immensely in the future. Keeping an open mind throughout the process helped me to get through the many challenges I had to face.

2. Being a mentor is challenging.

This position is one of the hardest positions I've ever been given. Being a mentor means that you make your artist a priority when you're at rehearsals even when you're tempted to talk to your BFF whose also a mentor. Being a mentor can be very frustrating at times and may test your patience when your artist doesn't want to listen to you. Part of being a mentor is helping your artist overcome the challenges of learning the difficult choreography, memorizing their lines and lyrics, and being there for your artist no matter what.

3. Being a mentor is also very rewarding.

As a mentor, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your artist shine up on stage during a show. After almost three months of rehearsals, a very long and exhausting tech week, it's finally time for the show! In the end, seeing how far everyone as a team has developed, that is what's most rewarding.

4. I've learned to look beyond the disability.

I've befriended many of the artists because they are all so smart, sweet, kind, loving, and want to be accepted. Despite what disability someone may be diagnosed with, they're still a person and deserve to be loved and treated like any other person. A disability doesn't define someone. These kids are just like you!

5. I've learned to be patient, especially with your artist.

Coming back to the fact that being a mentor is challenging, it also tests your patience 90% of the time. Being patient with your artist is a MUST. You have to be patient with your everyone around you, too! If you're all too impatient for everyone to get to the same level you're at, you won't get very far. Your artist is there to have fun, and so are you! You have to keep the mindset that being patient, even though it may be difficult, will pay off in the long run.

6. I've learned how much fun students with special needs can be!

These students are so high energy and enthusiastic about what they do! They all have great personalities that are hard to describe because they are so wonderfully unique. Working with these students is a total blast because these kids love to have fun and are fun to be around.

7. I've learned that some of the best friends you can have is your artist.

When you're paired together during this project, you're not just artist and mentor, you learn to become great friends! During this process, the two of you grow a friendship and a connection that may end up meaning so much to your artist but also may end up meaning something wonderful to you, too! The friendship between my artist and I is a strong bond because of all the challenges we faced throughout the project. These kids are so loving and loyal and always put a smile on your face!

Photo By Ashley Wallner of Country Faith Photography

Photos By Natalie Ollhoff of Natalie Helen Photography