|
 Jo is the mother, Treava is the daughter.
They share all kinds of family life experiences, as well as another very special tie: Both have served as mentors for fifth-grader Eduarda Peters for the past three years at Beall Elementary School in Rockville, Maryland. "Treava started it, "Jo said. "She needed an alternate [mentor], so she thought of me!" Jo Owens is a Montgomery County Public Schools employee, and Treava Hopkins works for the FDA in Rockville. Six year ago, when the Everybody Wins! DC Power Lunch program opened at Beall, Treava hopped right on board, and brought her mother along for the ride. How does their student, Eduarda, feel about her mother/daughter mentors? "It's sad that I only get to see them once a week," Eduarda said. "Sometimes I'm like, 'When will Friday get here?'" Eduarda and her mentors are fond of the Magic Tree House series. They've already read 10 books in the series this year. But now, Eduarda said, "We're in a contest. Treava reads faster than Jo. One day I read nine chapters with her!" "[Nine chapters] would take us at least two sessions. Treava's a couple of books ahead of me. We'll see where we are at the end of the year!" Jo added. For this reading team, the power of three is real and lasting. Eduarda has a bulletin board in her bedroom with pictures and projects she's done with her mentors over the years. "I'll remember my mentors. At the end, when I get enough stuff, I'll make an Everybody Wins scrapbook!" Eduarda said.
|
