Mentors: Matchmaking for Young People

In this paper, the concept of mentoring is examined. Matchmaking for mentorship, or the deliberate matching of young people with adult mentors, is presented as a viable study option for gifted students. A management strategy and guidelines from a school-and university-based program are presented. Resulting practical tips for developing mentorships are suggested. Two community-based mentor projects implemented by the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY) are shared. Retrospective student reports from the WCATY Young Scholar Project Program demonstrate that the long-term benefits to gifted students are significant.