This month’s mentor spotlight is Eric Sayre! Eric is a mentor to Central senior, Elvis Jimenez. Eric was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in South Minneapolis, Minnesota. Eric has a large mix of European cultures in his family and they enjoy gatherings that involve Scandinavian food and board games. He is also half Jewish and is fascinated by the rich history of that part of his culture.
After high school, Eric went to St. Olaf College for music education. He made a great connection with his trumpet professor and said the campus felt very comfortable and enjoyable. While at St. Olaf, Eric was involved in music, the juggling club, jazz ensemble, and he also worked for Upward Bound over the summers. Many UB students remember when Eric was a UB residential staff member because he created all the afternoon cheers that staff perform as students walk to lunch.
Eric is currently teaching band and jazz at Minneapolis South High School. Additionally, he stays busy as the executive director of a nonprofit school of music in Guyana, South America. One of Eric’s future goals is to get his master’s degree in conducting and eventually a Doctor of Musical Arts. Eric would enjoy conducting an opera one day!
Eric has been a mentor for Upward Bound for many years and when I asked why he continues to mentor for Upward Bound he shared, “I mentor for Upward Bound because I think everyone deserves a chance to go to college, and this is one way I can help.”
I also asked Eric if he had any advice for the current UB students; he shared, “There will be times when you need to work hard and other times when you can celebrate hard work. Don’t get caught up in either stage for too long.”
Upward Bound would like to thank Eric for being such a great mentor and being featured on this month’s Mentor Spotlight!
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