Maine's CHOICES CEO Project
Batting One Thousand: A Kid, Sports, Dreams and a Mentor
Matt Shaw (left) with Travis Lee from WMTW(right)
In 2007 Matt Shaw was like many 17 year olds. He attended high school, which he didn’t care for very much, hung out with friends, played video games and mostly tried to stay out of trouble. And, he loved sports. Baseball and football were his passions. He didn’t miss a game. He knew every player. He knew who was on top and who was not. He even thought about becoming a sports broadcaster. But when it came to academics, well, his brain was in a steady slump. Then he met Travis Lee.
In October 2007 Matt volunteered for Disability Mentoring Day, (DMD) which the organization’s web site www.dmd-aapd.org describes as, “a national program that promotes career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through job shadowing and hands-on career exploration.” Matt’s DMD mentor was popular sports broadcaster Travis Lee from WMTW, Channel 8 in Portland. On Disability Mentoring Day, Matt spent time with Travis at the Channel 8 station and was given a grand tour of the secret life behind sports news. According to Matt, “It was awesome.” And that one day’s “awesome” experience with Travis was enough to send Matt swinging -- at his academics.
Reflecting on the time spent with his mentor, Matt said, “Before, I didn’t even really think about setting a goal let alone reaching for one. When I met Travis, he told me that I had to work hard, that a goal can become a reality. It’s not just something you think about but something you work toward. He made me want to work hard.”
Matt worked hard all right. At end of the school year he received the “Most Improved Student” award from his high school. And he made the honor roll. In fact, you might say that thanks to his DMD mentor, he’s now batting one thousand.
Disability Mentoring Day activities for local high school students will be held on October 15, 2008 at the University of Southern Maine. Students who would like to attend are encouraged to check with their high schools for upcoming details. Employers are welcome to volunteer as mentors. For more information contact the Maine Department of Labor Disability Program Navigator at (800) 315-1192 x409 or by TTY: (888) 817-7113.
