The first banquet for the new Allies in Monroe program (AIM)  was held Dec. 16, honoring 29 of the 58 students in the program who reached their goal to raise their GPA by 15 percent.

The program was started this year at Monroe High by Principal Valerie Orr. The purpose of AIM is to increase the student achievement of MHS students.

Junior Jake Labeau was one of the many students in the AIM program this past fall, and he spoke at the banquet to share his experience and give thanks to his AIM sponsor, Anne Knabusch..

“I was given a check for $200 and took it right to the bank; I plan to save it and put the money towards my post-secondary curriculum,” Labeau said.

All allies that were part of AIM could choose any student in the school. Allies can do whatever it takes to help their students meet their goals, from calling to make sure they’re up for school on time or by meeting them at Panera Bread to discuss college opportunities.

“Jake did all the work; I didn’t really have to do much,” Knabusch.

The accomplishment of our students, we know that many of them would not have met their goals without the love and support of their ally stated Orr at the banquet.

“I use the word “love,” because I truly believe the relationship between ally and mentee is a special one,” said Orr.

MHS AIM program will continue on into the second trimester of the 2014-2015 school year. Paperwork has all been signed and turned in and no more AIM students can be taken at this time. There are 105 AIM student and ally partnerships.