Thursday, February 9, 2023 - 2:16pm Article Contributed to The Leader
Lemoore High School's Keegan Dickinson
Lemoore High School's Keegan Dickinson
Photo Contributed

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California wraps up National Mentoring Month by selecting four individuals as Bigs of the Year in four categories. One of those individuals, Keegan Dickinson, a Lemoore High School student, was honored as one of the “Bigs of the Hear.”

Across the nation, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) affiliates are celebrating National Mentoring Month. The Central California affiliate is no exception; they are announcing Bigs of the Year that will represent the agency and its mission for the 2023 calendar year.

The Central California Bigs of the Year are as follows:

• Big Brother of the Year: Nathaniel Boateng, Fresno, CA

• Big Sister of the Year: Rachell Jackson, Fresno, CA

• High School Big Brother of the Year: Keegan Dickinson, Lemoore, CA

• High School Big Sister of the Year: Yudith Mendez, Corcoran, CA

“Nathaniel, Rachell, Keegan, and Yudith truly are examples of what it is to be a selfless individual and putting the needs of others before their own,” said Diane Phakonekham, Executive Director.

“Many equally amazing and deserving Bigs were nominated and selecting among them was extremely challenging for our Bigs of the Year Committee. Every single Big that volunteers their time to mentor a child is a winner in my book.”

The selection committee was tasked with selecting a mentor they believed exemplified what a Big Brother or Big Sister should be.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters tab Lemoore High's Keegan Dickinson as a "Big of the Year"

A Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year were selected in the Community-Based category: An adult volunteer meets with a child 2-4 times per month in the community. Volunteers are matched with children based on shared interests and commit to at least one year of service.

A Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year were selected in the High School Bigs category: Students meet once a week for 90 minutes at the elementary school site. BBBSCC staff coordinates and supervises all match meetings. By playing sports, and games, drawing, talking together, and doing hands-on STEM activities, Littles develop and improve their academic and social skills.

Anyone wishing to become involved as a mentor can get in touch with BBBS by visiting www.bigs.org or calling 55-268-2447.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California: mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Since 1968, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California served more than 20,000 children in Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Tulare Counties. As an affiliate of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Federation, the nation’s largest donor, and volunteer-supported mentoring network, BBBS develops positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.