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Little
Brother Andrew was matched in 2003 with his Big Brother Scott, shortly after he
turned 14 years old. He had lost his father three years earlier and was
having difficulty adjusting. In fact,
things were spiraling out of control for Andrew by the time he met Scott.
He suffered from ADD and though he was bright, he was starting to really
struggle in school. He had difficulty with social interactions and his
grades were suffering. Andrew had been on medication for his ADD, and was
now dealing with depression – something he resented. This didn’t help an already low self-esteem
and he was just starting his freshman year of high school.
Andrew’s
mom thought it would be beneficial for Andrew to have a connection with a male
in his life outside of school. She could
see that he needed someone else besides his mom and sister, and all of their
relatives lived out of state. She called
Big Brothers Big Sisters and began the enrollment process.
Andrew met
Scott for the first time in August of 2003. Andrew immediately took to
his Big Brother. “I felt a connection
with Scott right away,” Andrew recalls.
“He was easy to relate to, relaxed and easygoing.”
Andrew’s
mom also remembers feeling instantly comfortable with Scott. “He was a great listener and very
understanding about what we were going through in our lives. I remember him explaining that he grew up as
the youngest in his family and was looking forward to finally being the 'big'
brother.”
Since their
match, they have enjoyed their time spent together doing a variety of activities. But besides just “hanging out,” Scott has
been able to make a significant impact in Andrew’s life. With
Scott’s background in personal training he and Andrew started weightlifting
together, which was difficult for Andrew at first.
“Scott was
always motivational. He understood that
it was hard, but instead of being critical he helped me talk through my bad
days, or told jokes to lighten my mood.
He encouraged me to keep going,” says Andrew.
Andrew’s
weightlifting gave him improved confidence with his peers, which led to more
respect from classmates. Meanwhile, Andrew’s mom and Scott teamed up to
challenge him with his grades and by his junior year, he made the decision to
change - turning D’s into B’s and C’s into A’s.
“Once
Andrew started to see changes in his body from working out, we applied that same
concept to his grades. Andrew realized
that with hard work and dedication, he would begin to see changes in his school
performance as well. And he did!” Scott
proudly explains.
With the
confidence gained from this complete turn-around, Andrew started thinking about
his future and the possibility of attending college. By his senior year,
Andrew had greatly expanded his circle of friends and even joined Capital High School’s Lacrosse team.
This month
he found out that not only was he accepted at Albertson
College and Montana State
University, but he had
also been offered substantial scholarships to both schools. He was also
accepted at Boise State. Within a few
days of this news, he also learned that he would be one of two students at
Capital to receive the Mayor’s Youth Award for turning his life around.
“I’ve
always enjoyed spending time with Andrew,” says Scott, “but if you would’ve
told me when I first met him that he would be going out for the lacrosse team
and receiving scholarships to college I’m not sure I would’ve believed you.” Andrew's mom credits Scott for his part in helping her son turn his life around, and Andrew
himself wonders what his life would’ve been like had it not been for
Scott.
“His influence on my life has
definitely made me think about being a Big Brother to someone when I get a
little older.”
Andrew’s mom
has no doubt that the relationship between her son and his Big Brother will
continue well past April when Andrew turns 18. Andrew knows they will
both be busy, but plans to keep in touch.
She and Andrew are thankful for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and
the difference that Scott was able to have in Andrew’s life.
“It has
been a remarkable privilege to watch a boy turn into a man,” adds Scott. “If there are other men out there thinking of
becoming a Big Brother, don’t hesitate. Forming
this kind of friendship is a very rewarding experience.”
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