On a very cold January day, the halls of St. Lawrence School in Price Hill felt warm and inviting, with cheerful gold and red walls. Two eighth-grade students, Diana and Angely are greeted by Kelly Dehan, a CISE board member who serves as a mentor. The girls carry their lunch trays, pepperoni pizza today, into an empty classroom where they can chat.
Kelly meets with the girls a few times a month, using their lunch break to talk about everything from high school plans to life lessons. On this day, their conversation flows from favorite teachers and classes to what adulthood looks like – bills, groceries, and insurance. The girls asked questions, offered thoughts about how they might manage it all. They talked about their excitement and anxiety as high school decision day approaches soon.

The girls are looking toward their high school futures next year and both hope to attend Seton High School. The thought of leaving St. Lawrence is bittersweet – they are excited to start a new chapter but also sad to leave the place that has been home for years. To ease their nerves, Kelly shares a story from her own life about adapting to change and plays them a snippet of “I Get Knocked Down” by Chumbawamba on her phone. They have never heard the song before but smile and laugh at the fun lyrics.

“It’s been really good,” Angely said. “Miss Kelly gives great advice. If you feel stuck in a circle, she helps you expand it, to look at the positive side. And she doesn’t judge. It’s like having a friend or another mother. It makes you feel cared for.”

Diana agrees. “She gives good advice, especially when you feel like there’s no solution. Even if there’s a big problem, she finds a way to make something positive out of it. She motivates us and helps us feel like we can succeed as women.”

Kelly’s mentoring role grew out of a pilot program developed by CISE to connect board members with the students they support. “We wanted to get the board more involved in the schools,” explains Phil McHugh, CISE Executive Director and President. “We chose three board members to connect with three schools, Kelly and St. Lawrence has been a great partnership. She’s been consistent in her visits and has built a tremendous relationship with the girls.”

From Kelly’s perspective, the connection has been mutually enriching. “The time I’ve spent at St. Lawrence has strengthened my tie with CISE,” she says. “It’s one thing to provide financial support, but when you build a relationship with the students, it’s a deeper connection. I think it’s good for the school, too. When Principal Jen Long sees that we’re not just helping financially but also spending time with the students, it strengthens the partnership.”

Kelly approaches each 45-minute session with a mix of planning and flexibility, letting the students guide the conversation. Sometimes they discuss high school applications or tackle classwork. Other times, they focus on life skills, like how to shake hands properly, “I periodically ask them to shake my hand, and it has definitely become firmer over time,” Kelly says. “That tells me a lot and it shows their confidence is growing.”

Principal Jen Long sees Kelly as a living example of what hard work and determination can achieve. “Kelly is the perfect example of what a hardworking, motivated woman can do. It’s my belief that young women can never have too many positive, strong, professional female role models,” Jen shares. “Our teachers are great, but junior high students need to hear this message from someone outside the classroom—they need to see it in action. Kelly has been that for our girls.”

Kelly’s involvement goes beyond academics. She helps the girls navigate friendships and social challenges while maintaining their trust. “Sometimes the girls have difficulties among themselves, and Kelly has been great at helping them work through those ups and downs,” Jen says.

When emotions run high, Kelly offers encouragement. “One of the girls was very upset over a social situation, we spent some time and talked it out,” she recalls. “The following week, she was back to feeling good. I always remind them, ‘God has this,’ and that they have the strength to navigate challenges.”

The benefits of mentoring go both ways, according to Kelly. “I’ve spent time with these delightful young women at St. Lawrence. Their resilience and fortitude inspire me, and I have no doubt the world will be better with them in it,” she says. “Their future is bright, and it’s been my pleasure to spend time with them.”

As the girls prepare to transition to life as a high school student, Kelly’s mentorship has left an indelible mark. The confidence she has helped instill and the lessons she’s shared will stay with them long after they leave the colorful halls of St. Lawrence.