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Coastal Carolina University's 2010 Mentor Awards were presented recently by the Dalton and Linda Floyd Family Mentoring Program. Three students were recognized and honored for outstanding service and performance for the 2009-2010 school year.

Kelly Muench, senior marine science major from Marlton, N.J., received the Mentor of the Year Award. Muench, who began mentoring at Waccamaw Elementary in fall 2008, has devoted more than 40 hours in four semesters to the program. She participated in trips to Brookgreen Gardens and “Mentor Day” at CCU.

Kevin Helmer, a junior elementary education major from Myrtle Beach, received the Best New Mentor Award. Helmer, who began mentoring in fall 2009 at Palmetto Bays Elementary, devoted 14.5 hours to the program in 12 weekly visits. Helmer created a flash card game called “Timber Wolf Wilderness." Named for the mascot of Palmetto Bays Elementary, the game presents a variety of academic challenges designed to encourage his mentee.

This semester Helmer mentored another student and has spent more than 40 hours with him and his class. Helmer also volunteered to assist with Mentor Month activities and was a presenter at the Mentor Roundtable at the 2010 Celebration of Inquiry conference.

Brittany Hite, a business management and marketing major from Conway, received the Long-term Mentor Award. Hite, who recently graduated, began as a volunteer mentor at Waccamaw Elementary School in fall 2007. Hite is the organization’s longest serving mentor, devoting more than 50 hours in six semesters in weekly visits with her mentee.