Florida Governor Jeb Bush explains the Teens Trendsetter program to Scholastic Reporter Evelyn Velez at a summit honoring student volunteers in Orlando, Florida, on July 26. (Photo: Rachel Laskow)

Teen Trendsetters are a group of Florida high school volunteers who work with third-graders at risk of falling behind in their studies. Select teens mentor these children weekly by reading with them. They also become their friends.

I spoke with a few of these super volunteers at a Teen Trendsetters' summit in Orlando, Florida, on July 26. The two-day summit was sponsored by Florida Governor Jeb Bush. The speaker at the concluding luncheon was First Lady Laura Bush.

The most important people at the summit, however, were the volunteers.

For Trendsetter Carmella Sease, who has been in the program since it began in 2002, it all started with a 10th-grade teacher who suggested that she apply.

"I figured, OK, I might as well apply, but I never win anything," she told Scholastic News Online. She had to wait six months to find out if her essay was a winner. Carmella was about to give up hope when she got the word. "When I got the call from the Govenor, I was screaming on the phone!" she said.

Now in college, Carmella is a "Veteran Trendsetter." At this year's summit, she was chosen to introduce Mrs. Bush at the luncheon.

"When I started, I had no idea what impact I would have on these children's lives, or the impact they would have on my own," she said in her introduction. "You [the Trendsetters] are about to embark on a wonderful journey that will change your lives forever."

High school senior Rigoborto is one of only six Teen Trendsetter Champions, who have made a habit of mentoring.

As a freshman in high school, Rigoborto Cabrera wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life. He knew only that he wanted to be a leader. His mother suggested the Trendsetter program. Rigoborto wrote his essay, and after being viewed by a panel of judges, he was selected to become a mentor. Rigoborto saw this as a great opportunity to improve his leadership qualities, and to make a difference.

Trendsetter Carmella Sease talks to Scholastic Reporter Evelyn Velez at the Teen Trendsetter summit in Orlando, Florida, on July 26. (Photo: Rachel Laskow)

"It feels good to help out, and I enjoy being with the kids and learning from them," Rigoberto said.

He first realized his time and effort were worth it when he saw that the kids were improving their reading skills because of his help. Rigoborto saw "that it was actually, really working!"

When I asked him what it was that motivated him to be a mentor, he said, "It's a great feeling, having a kid run up to you and give you a hug because he passed the FCAT [test]."

The Teen Trendsetters program is expanding, but there are still many children in need of a mentor. I spoke to the man behind the literacy initiative, Governor Bush. I pointed out that spreading literacy throughout the state was a big job. I asked him if he considered it a challenge.

"Yes, what we are doing is a big job," he said. "A lot of people would call it a challenge, but to me, it's a mission, and I know it can be done."

To find out more about the Governor's program, check out the Volunteer Florida Foundation Web site: www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org.