Waimea, California State grad says mentors needed to help kids dream big

LIHU‘E — The easiest way to invest in our children is by simply becoming committed to their bright future, said Chandra DesMarais.

She speaks from experience, crediting her mentor, Marilyn Allen, owner of Performance Coaching, a business-consulting firm that coaches individuals for high-level performance, with mentoring her, pushing her to be the best she can be, she said.

DesMarais, a 2005 graduate of Waimea High School, later this month will graduate summa cum laude from California State University at Chico with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in managing for sustainability.

Without Allen’s influence and guidance, which began in DesMarais’ sophomore year of high school, DesMarais said she doubted she would have even attended college, let alone excelled there.

“Having a mentor in my life has made the difference between my attending college and even my success while at college. I believe in the importance of this relationship and I wish to encourage others to think about how they can make a difference in a young person’s life,” she said in an e-mail.

“There is such a need, especially on Kaua‘i, for children and young adults to be given the support, encouragement, and confidence to dream big. My mentor dared me to dream big and now, I am proud to say, I am graduating from college with many awards and achievements to be proud of, and various opportunities available to me,” she said.

She reached out to The Garden Island in an effort to “inspire adults on Kaua‘i to become invested in our youth by serving as a mentor or role model,” and to also “to reach out to the students of Kaua‘i, to make them aware of the opportunities available, including financial assistance.”

“I have received many of the tools for success through the very significant mentors who have been present in my life. I have been blessed with dedicated people that are committed to my success; now I want to give back and inspire others to do what has been done for me,” she said. 

“Our relationship started slowly, since she gave me one of my first jobs,” DesMarais said of Allen.

“My responsibilities seemed trivial at first, but blossomed into the greatest real-world work experience I could have asked for. Working with her taught me discipline, accountability, professionalism and how to walk with confidence,” she said.

“Until now, I had never realized how important our relationship was to my development into a mature and responsible young adult. Mentors encourage you to pursue your dreams by giving you examples of success and the confidence you need to take on any endeavor,” she said.

“Quite often mentors can see potential in you that you never recognized in yourself. It is so needed in Hawai‘i to not only be supported and coached, but to be given permission to dream and embrace a bright future,” she said.

“My mentor gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams, but first she helped me establish my dreams. Giving young adults the opportunity to work or shadow a job allows them to explore their passions and pursue career interests they may not have considered previously. 

“I did not realize the importance of college, but Marilyn did,” said DesMarais. “She insisted I pursue higher education. She even went the extra mile to support me both emotionally and financially throughout college.

“Through our relationship of coaching and mentoring, she created the Performance Coaching College Scholarship Program to award academically-outstanding Kaua‘i students who are studying to complete degrees in business, communication and/or leadership,” DesMarais said.

“The purpose of this scholarship is two-fold: support the student before and throughout college; and award $1,000 a year for up to five years of college studies, thereby contributing to our global community by developing individuals who will make a significant difference.”