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Champions of Wayne

Champions of Wayne


 
​Champions of Wayne, a program of The Guidance Center, is open to all students at Wayne Memorial High School and combines adult mentoring, academic and life goal setting and achievement recognition that results in individualized prescriptions for success and financial rewards. The program’s founding sponsors are Richard & Leslie Helppie of The Helppie Family Charitable Foundation and Jeff & Lisa Styers of Arrow Cares. Both founding sponsors have made long term pledged commitments to continue supporting The Champions of Wayne program.
 
Our Mission: To transform student obstacles to success by way of an incentive-based mentoring system so that each student graduates in the best way possible.
 
As co-founder Richard Helppie states, “Champions of Wayne has had a material positive impact on both individual students and the learning culture at Wayne Memorial. Leslie and I have long sought a way to give Champions a pathway to perpetuity. By combining with the outstanding management of TGC, we believe that the program’s future is very bright.”
 

How does Champions of Wayne work?

​Champions creates an opportunity for WMHS students to earn a $200 incentive by reaching customized academic and life goals. Each semester, students grades 9-12 are paired with a mentor. Often, the mentor is a favorite teacher, administrator, counselor, or other WMHS employee. Next, students are provided with customized goals that they work toward for the duration of the semester.

 
Successful students are invited to celebrate their achievement, share a meal, and receive their rewards at the Champions of Wayne Student Achievement Banquet each semester.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students of all academic levels are encouraged to join the program. We reach students who need the extra push as well as students who want to maintain a high level of achievement.

Goals are customized to each student’s situation. Goals typically include a GPA goal and may also include life based goals. We strive to make a goal that is both challenging and realistic for any given student.

Students who meet their GPA goal for the semester are awarded with a $200 check, payable to them. They will also receive tickets for themselves and two guests to the awards banquet at the end of that semester for a night of food and celebration.

Students and mentors arrange their meetings based on what works best for them. Typically, students and mentors meet once a week to check in on current grades and academic performance.

Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Once we receive a donation you will receive a thank you letter with information for your taxes. If you have a reoccurring donation through your employer, you will receive a thank you letter with information for your taxes by January 30th of the following year.

Checks may be sent to the following address:
Attn: Communications and Philanthropy
Champions of Wayne Program
The Guidance Center
13101 Allen Road
​Southgate, MI 48195

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