The Student Mentor Spotlight this month features Jaylon, a 7th grade student from Lawndale Community Academy, and his mentor James Benjamin, from BMO Harris Bank.
Student: Jaylon Davis, 7th grade student, Lawndale Community Academy
Mentor: James (Jamie) Benjamin, Senior Counsel, Legal Corporate & Compliance Group, BMO Financial Group
How did you first get involved with WITS? How long have you been a part of WITS?
Jaylon: Ms. Brandy (school coordinator) asked me if I would like to be in WITS. I said ‘sure’ and have been in WITS for about 3-4 years since.
Jamie: Someone in my department approached me to participate in WITS on my 1st day of work 3 years ago and I have been doing it ever since.
What do you do for fun when you’re not at WITS?
Jaylon: I hang out with friends and cook with my mom.
Jamie: When I am not at work, I am cooking and traveling (and eating that cooking).
What is one interesting thing about you that not a lot of people know?
Jaylon: I have 16 siblings.
Jamie: I speak Spanish at home.
What is your favorite thing about your mentor/student?
Jaylon: Jamie helps with homework. I really am not a ‘homework & reading’ person but he teaches me a lot of words.
Jamie: Jaylon has a great attitude. He is consistent and always eager to participate.
What is your favorite book that you’ve read with your mentor?
Jaylon: We read a lot of “fun facts” books about all sorts of topics: animals, insects, and geography.
Jamie: We both learn a lot!
Some authors use a pen name (a fake name) instead of their real name when they write a book. What would your pen name be?
Jaylon: Jay or Jay-Day.
Jamie: I would rearrange my name and call myself ‘J. Randall Benjamin’. It always sounded sophisticated to me!
Pizza plays a big role in WITS celebrations. If you could only eat one pizza topping for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Jaylon: Meat lovers…Sausage.
Jamie: Pepperoni
Would you rather have a jellyfish for ears or a sting ray for feet?
Jaylon & Jamie: Jellyfish!! You cannot walk with sting ray feet.
Over the past 3 years, 68% of WITS students surpassed the national average for annual reading level growth
