Adopt a Senior: Gadsden County Facebook page connects students to mentoring adults

With the help of local Amber Gennie, creator of the Gadsden County Adopt a Senior facebook page, graduating seniors in Gadsden County were given a readiness to take on life after walking across the stage.

The Facebook page created by Gennie was developed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to help local seniors find mentors who can help them in their future careers.

Through the page, parents were able to connect with mentors through creating a short bio listing their child's interests and accolades.

Senior students, also, connected with adults in the community who shared similarities and could provide financial and mental support with the students’ future endeavors.

“I consider myself the middle man to help them make the proper connections to take the next step in life,” said Gennie.

Zamarie Baker (left) is a graduate of Crossroads Academy. Through the Gadsden County Adopt A Senior Facebook page, Baker was able to connect with her mentor, Ieisha Galloway (right). Galloway helped Baker through the process of joining the United States Air Force and they are pictured here at Baker’s swearing-in ceremony.

Miranda Mack-Delavallade was able to connect with a local student and help support the graduating highschooler through the Facebook page.

According to Mack-Delavallade, the page had given her an outlet to use her position as a director of development student services and community initiatives at Florida State University to assist high school seniors in 2021.

“Coming to Florida State, I didn’t have the assistance transitioning from highschool to college,” said Mack-Delavallade. “I want to provide that to my senior this year by participating in her move-in day, treating her to brunch, and leaving her with gifts.”

Dawn Germany, with the help of her husband, has been able to adopt seniors through the page in both 2020 and 2021, providing local seniors with whatever they need to start the next chapter in their life.

“Some seniors aren’t as fortunate as others and I want to help as much as possible,” said Germany. “Just to put a smile on their face even for a day makes me satisfied.”

While trying to find a career path after high school, Zamarie Baker (a graduate of Gadsden County’s Crossroad Academy Charter School) found her mentor Ieisha Galloway through the Adopt a Senior page.

Galloway is a former teacher of Baker’s, and has a military background.

Galloway was able to give Baker knowledge that has lent her to finding a military recruiter and going through the military entrance process.

Baker says that the support she received from Galloway led her to ultimately make the decision to enter the United States Air Force.

“I came to this place by going through the storm and back. Just never giving up no matter how hard it is,” said Zamarie Baker.

Baker plans on pursuing a career in computer science or cyber security. She is expected to start basic training in July.

Baker says she appreciates the connections that she was able to make with the Adopt the Senior Facebook page, and she encouraged other her peers to join the page and connect with their own mentors.

The inspiration for creating the page was influenced by Gennie seeing other Florida counties supporting their seniors.

“I didn’t want Gadsden County students to be overlooked,” said Gennie.

According to Gennie, the page was able to help over 300 students in 2020; she wants the number to continuously increase and encourages others to join the facebook group to help future students in the graduating classes to come.

Tyreonna Brown - Gadsden County News Service

Adopt a Senior: Gadsden County Facebook page connects students to mentoring adults

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Adopt a Senior: Gadsden County Facebook page connects students to mentoring adults

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The Graduates

Gene’s Blessing to provide food and aid in times of natural disaster

Gene's Blessing to provide food and aid in times of natural disaster

Recommended

County risks losing $20,000 as property purchase negotiations are extended

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