ABOUT STRIVE
STRIVE is a program for high school seniors who have faced some academic challenges, but want to make the most of their last year of high school. Students who choose to participate in STRIVE are matched with an adult mentor from one of the Rochester Rotary Clubs. Mentors are not tutors, but are there to offer support, encouragement and assistance. Students and mentors meet once a month for about 50 minutes during the school day and talk about how school is going and what their plans are for the future. Meetings also include presentations on topics relevant to life after high school – college, careers, finances, etc. The goal is for students to improve their grades and scholarships are awarded to those who show the most improvement in their GPA during the first three quarters.

HISTORY
The STRIVE Program, initiated by Rochester Rotary II in 1999, invites academically challenged high school seniors to participate in a post-high school focused mentoring program.  The program was introduced to Rotary II when officers in the club saw a presentation about Waseca Rotarys success with STRIVE. Rotary approached John Marshall high school about the program. The program in Rochester was born.  The 1999/2000 STRIVE Program at John Marshall was extremely successful. In 2000, Rochester Rotary decided to initiate a program with Mayo High School and in 2004 will begin a program at Century High School.

EXPECTATIONS OF STRIVE STUDENTS (click on the link for a complete list)
1. Attend monthly meetings.
2. Notify your counselor and your mentor if you cannot make a monthly meeting. (Students who miss more than two monthly meetings or have more than one unexcused absence are no longer eligible for scholarships.)
3. Talk with your mentor as to the amount of communication/contact you would like to have in addition to the monthly meetings.
4. Scholarship winners must claim their funds within two school years.

EXPECTATIONS OF STRIVE MENTORS (click on the link for a complete list)
1. Attend monthly meetings.
2. Notify coordinator and your mentee if you cannot make a monthly meetings.
3. Talk with mentee as to amount of communication/contact he/she would like in addition to the monthly meetings.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Contact your high school guidance counselor or Rochester Rotary at 507-252-0085 or email us at romnrotary@charter.net.