Silvia Alvarez-Caminiti and Rachel Lewis: Fortifying a Mutual Relationship
by Sandy Chase
Sandy Chase is a writer, poet, mentor, and avid nonprofit volunteer. In the contributed article below, she interviews mentor Rachel Lewis and mentee Silvia Alvarez-Caminiti:
Silvia Alvarez-Caminiti and Rachel Lewis continue to make a difference to each other. Although they no longer work with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, their relationship endures, benefiting mentee and mentor: Silvia is attaining her educational and career goals as a college junior while Rachel is being rewarded each time Silvia experiences success.
Silvia says she wanted to be connected with a mentor because she needed guidance about her future as a nurse. But she had to meet all prerequisites: graduating from Sarasota High School and attaining a college degree. 
Fortunately for all, including Silvia’s family, Rachel has instilled confidence in her mentee, enhancing her potential, a linchpin of the Education Foundation’s mission.
A retired New York high school librarian (2011), with a master’s degree in library science, Rachel brings many years of working with students, including guiding her two children through college. She also better understands the trials and successes of that age, enabling her to further Silvia’s goals, adding, “I think a big part of connecting with teens is to never forget you were one once.”
Georgette Hoskins, retired principal of Skaneateles High School, says that Rachel had a dramatic impact inspiring students by modeling her contagious enthusiasm for knowledge and continuous lifelong learning.
“Staff and students saw Rachel as their expert ‘research sleuth,’ who thrived on digging for information and finding answers, demonstrating how they, too, could learn something new.
Treating her students with the utmost respect, she valued their opinions and ideas.”
Georgette continues:
Students trusted her to teach them how to gather information, evaluate its accuracy, and analyze its significance, whether to write an ‘A’ research paper and/or select a college. More important, Rachel taught students how to transfer those fundamental steps into valuable lifelong skills for problem solving and decision making.
After leaving “her dream job,” Rachel felt a “pull” to work with teens. While leafing through a 2022 SRQ Magazine, she saw an ad sponsoring the Education Foundation’s mentoring program. Having been interviewed for the position, she was paired with Silvia, a high-school junior. Adding humor to this highlight, Rachel says, “We had the same color top on, thinking that was pretty cool.”
Silvia says, “Rachel helped me navigate which essay prompt(s) to choose. I learned from her that I needed a ‘hook,’ the first sentence to draw the reader’s attention. We went through various prompts that made me think of all facets of my life: from childhood on.”
They would meet at Starbucks or Jersey Mikes after school. Silvia brought her laptop to show what she was working on, including homework, a college essay, or college applications. Rachel also helped Silvia complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.
Mentor and mentee agree that a typical session has been more than just about school. Silvia says, “Sharing laughter, Rachel has always been there for me: I also needed someone to help me transition to college.”
Rachel responds:
“Silvia had a general idea of her career path. But I wanted her to realize that she needed to decide what was best for her. Some students strive to attend a college that has name recognition but may not be the right choice. I’m fortunate that having guided my kids, I was aware of what was involved.”
Because of mutual respect, their relationship has blossomed. A college sophomore at State College of Florida, Silvia pursues a nursing degree. To boost Silvia’s career, they have worked on writing effective resumes. And Rachel has connected her with the right people in her chosen field.
Highlighting Silvia’s initiative, Rachel says, “Silvia showed me templates she was preparing. I provided her with the most current examples, sharing my children’s resumes for some ideas.”
Silvia says, “I’m fortunate that the Education Foundation helped me build a lasting relationship with someone I can always lean on.”
Rachel is grateful that Silvia enlisted her Peruvian mom to help Rachel’s daughter while she was leading MBA students (Northeastern University) in Peru, during a transportation strike. Silvia’s mom provided Rachel with safety measures that she relayed to her daughter.
Rachel and Silvia don’t meet as often since the Education Foundation days: Silvia focuses on college and her current position at the Brown Vision Care as a technician. Rachel is a Syracuse snowbird. But they FaceTime or text. During the school semester, they meet once every six-to-eight weeks. Silvia appreciates that Rachel asks for updates, reminding her of her goals.
Mentor and mentee offer advice to students wanting to pursue post-secondary education:
Get involved in activities, clubs, sports, and part-time jobs that interest you,” says Rachel. “Don’t ‘pad’ your resume. Admissions knows. Because colleges want a high retention rate, they want a ‘good fit’ as much as you do. The more you’re authentic through your writing and interests, the better your chances are of getting accepted to your dream college.
Silvia advises other students: “If you feel you won’t reach your goals, don’t give up. Not everyone, including me, gets to where they want to be. You need to be patient with how your plans are laid out, and you’ll succeed in the way you are meant to.”
Rachel’s advice for fellow mentors: “Meet students at their level. More important, get to know them as a person, not just a student. Consider your relationship post-Education Foundation. I’m happy to say that we’ll stay in touch for a very long time.”
Silvia found the right track. She’s grateful that Rachel continues to be her confidant. Because of Rachel’s dedication, Silvia also enjoys independence. Rachel welcomes a new mentee to reestablish another productive experience.
President/CEO Jennifer Vigne captures how Rachel and Silvia are Education Foundation role models:
I’ve seen it happen repeatedly with our mentorship program. Relationships expand beyond guidance and direction, and deep friendships form. Bonds like the one between Rachel and Silvia are strong. They may start at the Education Foundation, but they last for a lifetime.