By Hazel Mansfield, Class of 2025
This article is a part of a series of student stories of growth curated for the 2025 One Event. If you enjoy this story, please donate and tell us which student’s story inspired you to give.
This school has undeniably led to life changing experiences. I have never been surrounded by so much love and encouragement in my entire life, and that is because of the people I have met during my time at One Stone. The student body itself is one of deep connection and value. Our school intentionally creates space for each student to interact with one another, whether it’s through group discussions, all community time, or simply modeling and encouraging behavior where we welcome each other into our space. In turn, I have gotten to know most of, if not all the other students. We know more than just each other's names; I know the passions and dreams of peers I have only talked to once or twice, and this goes beyond just the students. Our staff truly believe in us; they are the reason we are able to continuously work with one another and why a safe space exists in our community in general. In a public school environment I often experienced disconnection from my teachers, lost in the crowd. Here, the staff have genuine care to meet the students where they are at. This requires a more personal relationship and mutual respect between each other. This has made my drive for learning grow tenfold, as I know that those who I am learning from care about my future.
A huge way this is implemented into our community is our mentorship program. Mentorship at One Stone is for students to connect to coaches and the staff on a more personal level, in order to provide a space that meets students where they are at and make them feel seen and important. Staff throughout the school are assigned a small group of kids to work alongside for their high school career. Camille has been my mentor at One Stone the past year, and she has gotten to see me at many angles of my personal and professional life. When first meeting with her, I was encouraged to jump in with vulnerability and a desire to grow.
She asked me what I needed from her, what my strengths and weaknesses were, and the goals she could support me with moving forward. I have never in my education been asked such questions, especially not in such a caring and personal way. I felt like what I was doing here actually mattered, that my future mattered, and that Camille could help me get there. Throughout the year, she has been a safety net. She has put a consistent effort into checking in on me, helping me set new goals and complete them. She encourages me when I feel an overflow of self-doubt. Her office has become a safe place. I can walk into her office, sit and work for an hour or two before rejoining again to work with groups. The best part is, she knows me. She knows how much I care about the work I do here, and she can guide me in the right direction in a way that works for me as an individual, rather than pushing me into a system that doesn’t work for my brain.The mentor program at One Stone and my connection to Camille has meant the world to me. I finally am able to show up to school feeling supported and safe, a privilege I wish every student in the world could experience
