Mentors and mentees in the SMILES (Southcoast Mentoring Initiative for Learning, Education and Service) mentoring program (a program of People, Incorporated) at the Matthew J. Kuss Middle School spent a May 18th afternoon on board the USS Massachusetts battleship near the Braga Bridge in Fall River. Each pair had a chance to explore the many parts of the ship open to visitors as well as the extensive exhibits on display in the lower decks. "This is always a fun time," noted Fall River SMILES coordinator Katje Fuson who helped to organize the event. "Everyone learns a lot about history and has a great time doing it," she added. Several events are scheduled throughout the year to offer mentors and mentees more opportunities to get to know each other better and to form strong bonds designed to keep mentees invested in their schools. Click here for a video of the event. Click here for pictures of the mentors and mentees in an egg-drop contest at the Kuss Middle School. For more information about the program or to volunteer to serve as a mentor in other programs, call 508-837-6902 or email Katje Fuson at kfuson@smilesmentoring.org

(Top row, left) Mentees __________ and ___________ walk up the gangplank with their mentors __________ and Jack Souza. (Top row, center) Mentee Michael gets help with locating the parts of the ship from mentor Paul Burke. (Top row, right) Fall River SMILES coordinator Katje Fuson gives instructions for their "scavenger hunt"  to the mentors and mentees. (Middle row, left) Mentee ____________ tries aiming the ship's signal lamp. (Middle row, center) Mentee ___________ goes inside one of the many ship's gun turrets. (Middle row, right) Mentees Christian and Joshua look over a handrail with mentees Nick Christ and ______________. (Bottom row, left) Mentor Kristen Gunderson talk with Joshua and Christian as they perch on the ship's bunk beds. (Bottom row, right) Battleship Cove executive director Brad King talks about the women who served in the Navy during World War II as mentees Joshua and _____________ listen with mentors Kristen Gunderson and  Nick Christ, whose mother served as a nurse during the war and who has her vest in the ship's display case.