AWARE Application 2025
Hello and thanks for your interest in applying to join the AWARE Team! Please read the instructions below carefully before beginning the application. This application may take some time to complete; however, you are able to save this application as you work on it.We will be reviewing applications and holding interviews on a rolling basis so we recommend applying before the deadline. Applications will close on March 3rd. 

AWARE is a mentoring program that brings together female-identifying college students with middle school girls at Blacksburg Middle School in order to empower them and allow them to discuss a wide variety of topics that may not otherwise be available to them. This is not a traditional 1:1 mentoring project, but instead a group of volunteers is matched with a grade level group (6th, 7th, or 8th) for weekly in-school sessions. The discussion and activities are planned by the volunteers at weekly meetings. This is a creative and challenging process that allows the group to be responsive to the needs of the BMS students. The curriculum traditionally has addressed such issues as body image, healthy friendships, creativity, peer pressure, and sexual harassment, among others.

The time commitment for AWARE is a minimum of 2 hours per week. Planning meetings are held weekly for approximately one hour, and each session at the middle school lasts about one hour. There will also be a few other training sessions and activities that volunteers will be expected to attend throughout the year. There is also the opportunity to hold social get-togethers and we work to do so a few times a year.

Volunteers can participate in either 6th, 7th, or 8th grade groups, and the format for each one will vary. As far as we know, next year in-school sessions will take place on Fridays from 10:30-11:22, 11:24-12:16, and 12:20-1:12, though these times are always subject to change by the school. Note: you will only need to be available for one of these sessions.

Consistent attendance at meetings and the classroom sessions is required because all of the ideas shared help to shape the program and every mentor creates relationships with the middle schoolers. Continuity and consistency are essential. While we understand that at this point VT students do not know their schedule for the coming semester, we would ask that if you are accepted that you do whatever you can to be available for the Friday session.
 
We ask that you commit to AWARE for a MINIMUM of one semester, with the hope that each volunteer will remain involved through their time at Virginia Tech.  We will accept applications from all, but especially encourage Freshmen and Sophomores to apply.
 
If you don't have your own transportation to Blacksburg Middle School (a 5-10 minute drive down Prices Fork Road) we have been successful in the past with providing carpool options. Blacksburg Middle School is located in off of Prices Fork Road, and you must budget time to travel there and back.


Email *
First & Last Name 
include your preferred name if applicable
Major(s)
Current year
Phone #
VT Email Address
Why are you interested in the AWARE program?
What needs/challenges do you feel are most important for middle school girls? What challenges do you see for yourself in working with this age group and how will you approach those challenges?  
Often the middle schoolers want to discuss feminism and related issues. What is your own personal definition of feminism?
Please summarize your previous and current volunteer experience/extracurricular activities. How will they help you when working with the middle schoolers?
How will you work to encourage and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom? Why is this an important issue?
To better understand what is expected of you as an AWARE member, please make a brief lesson plan for a forty-minute Friday session with the girls. We typically build our lessons in 3 sections: introduction, discussion, main activity (moving around or stationary). Consider this a broad outline and write one paragraph for each "section" of the lesson. You can either write it on Healthy Relationships (Platonic) or Body Image. Both topics are very broad, so you should focus on something that is of particular interest to you or something you wish you had known in Middle School.

Consider the following questions as you plan your outline: What are your goals for this lesson plan? What do you want the girls to come away from this with?
The following are scenarios that have happened in the classroom. We would like to know what you would do if you were in one of these situations.

1. At the beginning of the year, we collaborate with the students on a set of guidelines for the class & its operations. Although the students created and agreed to abide by the rules, you find yourself having to repeat them on a regular basis. How do you react? 
2. The lesson plan this week isn't engaging the girls. They are trying to shift the conversation back to a lesson you had several weeks ago. What do you do?
What questions, if any, do you have for us?
You are almost done with submitting your application! We will review your application on a rolling basis and will be inviting a limited number of applicants back for group interviews and middle school visits. To help us streamline the interview process, please list out blocks of time when you are generally free during the week. We will be setting up zoom or in person interviews.                                  
Thank you for your submission! Please understand there are a limited number of volunteer positions available, and we will be selecting those best suited for the program. If you have any questions, please email Jessie Meltsner (please put AWARE in the subject line).  

Our Policy: It is the policy of the organization to provide equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us.
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