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January was proclaimed National Mentoring month by President Barack Obama, with National Mentoring Day to be celebrated Thursday.

In honor of all the wonderful things mentors do and mean to the Craig community, the Craig Daily Press visited with some of Craig’s youngest and most honest residents at the Boys & Girls Club in Craig Monday to talk about who their mentors were and why.

“Decker and my dad are my mentors. We go four wheeling a lot.”

Photo by Darian Warden

Garrett Mercer and whale "Sissy," 7, Second Grade

— Garrett Mercer, 7, Second Grade

“My mother and dad because they take me sledding and we go out to dinner with friends. They also take me to see our aunt and baby cousin. They’re always there.”

Photo by Darian Warden

Mooki Ferguson, 12, Seventh Grade

— Morgan Robison, 9, Third Grade

“My dad because he’s nice and we sit in the hot tub. We also go out and eat.”

— Noah Duran, 6, First Grade

“My mentor is my father. He’s smart and helps me with my homework. When I have a problem I can go to him.”

— Mooki Ferguson, 12, Seventh Grade

“My dad and mom. Me and my dad go hunting. Me and my mom we play games together.”

— Caden Call, 8, Third Grade

Photo by Darian Warden

Caden Call, 8, Third Grade

“My teacher Mrs. Murr. She helps me with things I think I can’t do and teaches me I can do them.”

Photo by Darian Warden

Alyssa Saulnier, 11, Fifth Grade

— Alyssa Saulnier, 11, Fifth Grade

The Daily Press also talked with some of the Boys & Girls Club staff who inadvertently become mentors to the young children they spend time with nearly every day.

“It’s chaotic most days. But I love kids. It’s fun to give them a place to go and something to do. When I was little I sat at home.”

— Kyri Scroggs, 16, Junior at MCHS and staff at the Boys & Girls Club

“I just love doing it. I’ve been coming here since I was five years old. One of my favorite things to do is help them and play, as well as show them what not to do.”

Photo by Darian Warden

Miguel Meza, 14, Freshman at MCHS and staff at Boys & Girls Club

— Miguel Meza, 14, Freshman at MCHS and staff at the Boys & Girls Club

Don’t forget to thank your own mentor for all they’ve done. To read other’s thank you messages or to post your own visit www.hsph.harvard.edu/chc/wmy/Thank_Them/Tributes/tributesindex.html