Feather River College TRiO Talent Search announces that, with support from the Feather River College Foundation, it has launched a new tutor and mentor program to provide academic assistance and mentorship to local students in Quincy. The initiative, started in March, is already making an impact, say organizers: two FRC freshmen — Naomi Juarez and Judith Castellanos — serve as dedicated tutors and mentors to students at both Quincy Junior-Senior High School and Quincy Elementary School’s Alder Creek campus.
Juarez and Castellanos, both 2024 graduates of Portola Junior-Senior High School, bring a relatable, encouraging presence to their work with younger students, said Niecea Freeman, director of FRC Talent Search. Juarez is currently pursuing a degree in kinesiology, while Castellanos is exploring dual interests in nursing and business.
Every Wednesday after school, the two women support Quincy High students with homework help and skill-building. On Thursdays, said Freeman, they bring their enthusiasm to elementary students at Alder Creek, offering guidance in reading, math and other core subjects.
“This peer-led approach to academic support emphasizes the value of near-peer mentoring — when students receive guidance from someone close in age and experience, the connection is often more accessible, relatable and inspiring,” said Freeman. Seeing successful college students who once walked the same halls provides a tangible example of what’s possible for younger students. For the college mentors, said Freeman, the experience not only deepens their leadership skills and reinforces their academic knowledge but also strengthens their connection to the local community.
“The tutor and mentor program gives our FRC students a chance to give back in meaningful ways,” said Freeman. “Naomi and Judith are making a difference — not just by helping students with schoolwork but by showing them that college is within reach, especially for students from small, rural communities.”
The initiative is part of a broader commitment by FRC and the TRiO Talent Search program to increase college access and success for first-generation and low-income students in Plumas County. With continued support from the FRC Foundation, Freeman said the program hopes to expand in the coming months, offering more opportunities for students to thrive — both academically and personally — through the power of mentorship.
More information about the Talent Search tutor and mentor program, including how to get involved, is available from the TRiO Talent Search office at FRC or via [email protected] and 530-283-0202, ext. 322. More information about the TRiO Talent Search program is available at https://www.frc.edu/ets/index.
