Marilyn and Nashani
Last year, when Marilyn (Little), a quiet 5th grader at McKay Elementary School, was first matched with Nashani (Big), a dedicated senior at Fitchburg State University, she was reserved and struggling with breaking out of her shell. But thanks to the consistent care and encouragement from her Big Sister, everything began to change.
Week after week, in their one-on-one mentoring sessions, Nashani created a safe, supportive space for Marilyn to open up. And little by little, something amazing happened: Marilyn’s confidence began to bloom.
This spring, Marilyn’s growth became undeniable. To build on her newfound confidence, their Match Support and Success Specialist challenged Marilyn and Nashani to design and lead a group activity for all the matches at their school. Together, they planned a fun, interactive icebreaker: a twist on “Simon Says” where students stepped forward based on shared interests, like “Take one step forward if you like pizza” or “if you have siblings.” It was a simple, joyful way to bring students together—and a major milestone for Marilyn.
Seeing Marilyn lead the activity with enthusiasm and poise was a proud moment for everyone, especially for Nashani, who has watched her Little blossom over the past year.
Thanks to Nashani’s constant support as her Big, Marilyn was able to step out of her comfort zone and build her confidence up to a height it had never seen before. Nashani and Marilyn are a perfect example of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission, and what we hope to do for all children that step into our programs.
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