Believing in Students: Mentorship, Community, and the Power of Showing Up

Mentorship isn’t just about advice. It’s about consistency, care, and meeting people where they are. Loretta Perna, director of the WIN and Hermanitas programs at Kennett High School, has spent decades doing just that. In this conversation, Loretta shares how she went from business school and acting to becoming a mentor, advocate, and lifeline for hundreds of students navigating life after high school.

 

She reflects on the power of small encouragements, the importance of listening to what students actually need, and how the support of a community helped keep her program alive. From personal pivots to public advocacy, Loretta’s story is a reminder that it only takes one person to change a life and a whole community to keep that change going.

 

Highlights from the episode:

• How the WIN and Hermanitas programs support students and families

• What it means to be a mentor when parents can’t always show up

• Loretta’s unexpected path from acting to education

• The role of repetition, presence, and long-term commitment in building trust

• Why investing in scholarships helps more than just one student