LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / November 1, 2000

ST. ROSE – The HOSTS program (Help One Student To Succeed) matchesstudents with mentors on a one-to-one basis, giving each student a new friend, role model and cheerleader toward their academic success.

Albert Cammon Middle School, at the forefront of the HOSTS program in St.

Charles Parish since its inception, has three unique mentors in this year’s program – three generations.

First was Denise Wilson, whose day job is as a supervisor of technical services for the West Regional Library in Luling. She began as a HOSTSmentor three years ago. Added this year were Wilson’s eighth-gradedaughter, Lacey R. Wilson, and mother, Mamie McMillion.”I wish we could get my husband’s father in it, too,” McMillion said of her 91- year-old father-in-law. “Then we’d have four generations.”Wilson’s involvement was a natural outgrowth of her involvement with her daughter’s education. When Kim Bourgeois, HOSTS program director, wasLacey’s fifth-grade teacher, Wilson became a mentor.

“It’s 40 minutes, once a week,” Wilson said.

This is also Wilson’s 15th year working full-time for St. Charles ParishLibrary, following seven part-time years. Volunteerism runs deep, as shebegan her association as a library page while in high school.

In 1985 she graduated from the University of New Orleans and is going back for her master’s degree in library science.

Wilson said she loves the mentoring program and adores the children she’s worked with. “You’d be surprised at things they’ll tell you.”Wilson also teaches Sunday school at New Life Tabernacle Church in Metairie.

Volunteerism also runs in the blood, as Wilson’s mother, Mamie McMillion, is a volunteer at Destrehan Plantation, where she often demonstrates such crafts as indigo-dyeing and candle-making.

She’s a retired school secretary, having worked 19 years at St. RosePrimary School. Her student this year immediately recognized her anddemanded a hug when they were “introduced.””She’s a shy little girl, and she was pleased to see a familiar face,” McMillion said. Originally from Illinois, the family moved to St. Rose 41 years ago.Finally, Lacey R. Wilson, an honor student at Cammon, is enjoying her tasteof serving as a mentor. “We had a contest to see who could sign up the mostmentors,” she said. “I didn’t win.”She’s working with a fifth-grade student and has already been inspired to seek a teaching career when she’s grown. Lacey is also involved in band andBeta Club and considers herself a “big” Christian music fan.

“HOSTS is really fun,” Lacey added. She plans to continue even after shemoves on to Destrehan High School next year.

Denise Wilson is a firm supporter of HOSTS and encourages anyone with an interest in the future of the area and the quality of education to get involved. “They need all the mentors they can get,” she said.

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