The Perfect Match: Success Continues To Burn Brightly for Katie Souza and Marsha Chappelow
by Sandy Chase
Sandy Chase is a writer, poet, mentor, and avid nonprofit volunteer. In the contributed article below, she interviews mentor Marsha Chappelow and mentee Katie Souza:
Once again the Education Foundation of Sarasota County has witnessed the benefits of finding the perfect match, brightening the path for Marsha and her mentee, Katie, a STRIVE awards recipient (see https://edfoundationsrq.org/the-perfect-match/).
Paired during Katie’s junior year at Suncoast Polytechnical High School, these two epitomize friendship and collaboration—strengthening Katie’s academic achievements at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and promoting her professional aspirations, including journalism and marketing, while Marsha experiences personal rewards as a retired high-school English and journalism teacher and superintendent. Communications and Content Writer Lisa Moody echoes others when she says, “Seeing the relationship that has developed between Marsha and Katie is inspiring. To see the deep friendship that continues to this day shows us the power and the value of our mentorship program.”
Katie’s comments capture her gratitude for Marsha: We’ve been mentor-mentee for three years this May. And I wouldn’t be where I am today without Marsha’s experience, expertise, and patience. Although our mentee-mentorship will end when I graduate in Fall 2026, we will always be friends. She’s my role model.
Marsha’s limitless encouragement and advice links to Katie’s fortitude, creating a necklace of academic success “worn” in high school and at FGCU. By exploring all opportunities, Katie’s a staff writer for the student-run Eagle News, honing her writing/reporting skills so she can pursue her coveted career in journalism. (https://eaglenews.org/category/news/).
Katie says: I’m grateful for all FGCU opportunities to practice and enhance my journalism skills and knowledge. Since the second semester of my freshman year, I’ve attended weekly news meetings as often as I can, given my schedule. Editors pitch articles, and I pick whatever story sounds interesting. Writing news, features, and opinion pieces has been one of my best university experiences. I also love the team of like-minded students, although not all are majoring in journalism as I am.
Marsha has motivated Katie to be open to exploring all opportunities by looking at them from all angles, resulting in an opportunity to join the library marketing team, proving that one door may open another. Declining full credit, Marsha says, “Katie was disciplined about her academics before our pairing.”
Enthusiastic about her position, Katie says: I love my job, although it doesn’t even feel like one! I write weekly blog posts and email blasts while collaborating with the team, helping to assemble newsletters that showcase the excellence of the library’s services, staff, and student workers. Working with our designers, I generate copy for graphics. Katie continues: My team is amazing. I’m grateful to get a different type of writing experience, especially in marketing, which is my minor. Besides being the writer, I manage the social media accounts and generate ideas for posts, reels, and other writing. This summer Katie will intern at Agape Flights in Venice, a non-profit Christian aviation ministry, which delivers cargo, mail, and humanitarian aid to Caribbean missionary partners.
Katie is beholden to Marsha, who says: Mentoring has improved my life because Katie continues to reach her goals and grow as an individual. More important, we’ve shared interesting discussions based on different generational perspectives about school, communication careers, and life, hopefully, enhancing her potential in pursuing a career in which she’s successful and happy.
Since their match, Katie’s and Marsha’s connection burns brightly through their bi-monthly conversations on the phone or through texts. “Marsha is always there for me. I texted her that I was nervous about an upcoming interview and needed some advice. Our phone call prepared and reassured me.”
Through the years, Marsha’s thought-provoking, encouraging words have erased any uncertainty. Katie is convinced that Marsha’s guidance and support have made a difference, especially when Katie’s test grade hasn’t met her expectations. Says Marsha, “I check in with her about her classes, course work, tests, and grades. We talk about any issues, and she makes a plan to work through them. We share what we’re doing at the time, and I check to see that she’s also enjoying social activities—an important part of college life.”
When Katie comes home for breaks, she and Marsha have a dinner date to catch up. “Katie’s parents are great to work with” says Marsha, “and are very supportive of the mentorship. They’ve invited me to their family Thanksgiving for the last two years.” Because Marsha is returning to Kansas City this summer, she won’t be mentoring another Education Foundation student. But she plans to continue her current relationship with Katie, saying that her graduation present to Katie is a plane ticket to Kansas City so the two can visit. Education Foundation has struck the match for the mentor’s and mentee’s success. The headline from journalist Katie says it all: “Never Stop Chasing Your Dreams.” The theme of her article is to search for all opportunities and believe in yourself—now.
Marsha has some good advice to others: “If you’re contemplating volunteering, ‘jump in and try it now.’ There’s no greater joy than helping a young person on his/her way to adulthood and finding a career that he/she wants to pursue. And you’re improving your life.”
The flame from this match will continue to burn. Katie says, “I continue working towards earning my bachelor’s degree in journalism. And I hope someday to become a mentor, following in Marsha’s footsteps.” If you’d like to participate in our mentoring program, get more information at https://edfoundationsrq.org/students/mentoring/