Mentors
What are the origins of the word mentor? Not surprisingly for many, “mentor” has a Greek origin. In the epic poem “The Odyssey,” the hero Odysseus has a friend and advisor called Mentor. He was a teacher, wise man, and counselor who took care of Odysseus’ son, Telemachus. Nowadays, a mentor is someone who is an experienced person guiding another in a variety of ways. Having a mentor at the right time may impact someone’s life forever.
Anthony Allred shared how having a mentor could have impacted his life. “I wish, when I was in my early 20s, I had had the opportunity to have mentors and people to help me make decisions at that critical time of my life along that path,” he shares. Brett and Anthony Allred were motivated to give students something they didn’t have, and this opportunity – having a mentor – will undoubtedly change a life. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah in International/Global Studies and has solid experience with sales and consulting management. The couple has six children together and currently lives in Utah, from where they flew to spend a week with us in the Czech Republic.
Joining Cumorah Academy
Brett and Anthony shared one thing that will change students’ lives if they earnestly apply it. “Having an open mind and open heart,” they both shared. Drawn to Cumorah Academy by a friend who served as a mentor couple in a previous semester, the Allreds are committed to letting students discover new things about themselves if they are willing to open their hearts and minds to what experienced mentors are to share with them.
Our student from Afghanistan, Heela, shared the blessing of listening to them with an open mind: “I was amazed at how generous they were with their experiences, network, and time. What I have learned from their stories is that success doesn’t necessarily follow a straight path. One should always embrace continuous learning and be open to trying new things, as diverse experiences can pave the way for personal success. I am incredibly grateful to have them in Cumorah,” he joyfully concludes.
Brett and Anthony are confident in the students’ capacity to absorb what they are learning and apply it to their current situation. “If they implement what they have been taught here, they’ll be able to go out to serve the world and impact it in their way,” Brett teaches. Sarah Araújo from Peru shares how happy she is for having them here on campus: “Brett and Anthony are amazing! They always have a lot of encouragement, and that is contagious. Their life experience teaches us a lot, as well as the support they give us in mentoring.” During their leadership classes, Brett and Anthony used all their skills to deliver compelling content so our students could have a life-changing experience.
They are there for the students
Besides their engagement, what motivates them to come is mainly our students. They shared love and kindness in all they could. “We want to be able to have served here well,” shares Brett. They know the challenges our students face and will face as they leave campus, and that is a motivation so they could impact them so deeply. They believe in their potential. “I hope that all students here realize what impact they are going to make on the world around them as they leave here.” And students already feel that! “Anthony and Bret are excellent teachers and public speakers and do a great job of connecting with students. I admire their storytelling skills and how they share their life experiences in a way that we can relate to. I’m excited about the opportunity to spend some time with and learn from them,” shares Eddie, our student from Mozambique.
Final Thoughts
Mentoring isn’t a simple task. It requires trust in each other so they can shape the student to achieve their potential. As the legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg observed, “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” Brett and Anthony are teaching and motivating students so they can find their voice, their passion, and their purpose. Even though Anthony shared he didn’t have a mentor in his twenties, the sacrifices the Allreds are making for our students will pay off now and in the future, because they will remember them forever.
Watch their testimony on their experience as mentors:
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr. Supports by Delton Sambo
Supervision: Kamila Uberto Fullmer
