School mentor has big influence on student’s life
When David Landrum
first volunteered as a Gaston
County Schools mentor, he
was introduced to a boy who
was almost too shy to come
out of the kindergarten
classroom.
But every Friday for
eight years, Landrum
returned to visit. He and
his mentee, Vance Vaughn,
built a friendship as they
read books together in the
library or played basketball
in the gym. Landrum, who
lives in the university area
of Charlotte, made the drive
to see Vance every week,
even as he moved from
Bessemer City Primary to
Cherryville Elementary, then
to Lowell Elementary and
now Holbrook Middle School.
Today, that once-timid
student is a more confident
and talkative eighth grader, who is looking forward to high school and
thinking about what to do after graduation.
“He has come out of his shell from being a timid child to this great young
man,” Landrum said of Vance. “I’m so proud of him.”
Landrum’s influence on Vance is unmistakable and shows the difference
a mentor can make in a student’s life, said Erin Stokes, Holbrook’s school
counselor.
“David has been through all the different developmental levels with
Vance -- his family and life changes. He has just been a constant for Vance
when he really needed it,” she said. “It’s so important for Vance to know he
has somebody like that he can rely on.”
Landrum, who is employed at UNC Charlotte, was honored for his
work as a mentor with the 2014 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public
Service, the highest award a state employee can receive. The honor came as
a surprise, Landrum said, explaining that he enjoys his time with Vance and
doesn’t see it as a sacrifice. He says his goal in mentoring is simple.
“I want to let him know, ‘I’m here for you,’” he said.
That means simply asking questions and listening to what Vance has to
say. Landrum said he’s seen how important that is. When he visits, Vance’s
classmates will seek him out just to talk.
“They just want to be heard,” he said. “They want someone to listen to
them, and they want to feel that they’re important.”
Kim Vaughn, Vance’s mother, said Landrum makes a difference.
“He just has an open ear for Vance. He listens to him,” she said. “I can’t
say enough about David Landrum -- his attitude, his love for Vance, the things
he has done for Vance… the love that Vance has for him.”
Over the years, Landrum said he’s seen Vance become mo ɔ