When the current administration at Goshen High School took over this school year, they knew changes were needed throughout the school and a male mentorship program has helped with those changes.

Principal Bennie Shellhouse and assistant principal Marjorie Lane needed to find something that could help change the culture at the school.

“When we got here, we had some issues with some of our male students in terms of discipline issues,” Lane said. “We felt like we had to find something that could target some of those students.”

With the help of Troy native Mitchell Sneed, the school launched the Golden Eagle Rites of Passage Program, a male mentorship program, back in August. According to Lane, Goshen High School scored a 76 on the state report card in 2022-2023 and that has increased up to an 81 this school year. Lane also said that there have been less discipline problems in classes and less office referrals this year and she believes the mentorship program is part of the positive change.

“I love it and the kids love it,” Lane emphasized. “What we love most about it is that (Sneed) is a mentor to them. He doesn’t just come and meet with them and talk. He comes in and walks in classes – does classroom visits – and comes to basketball and football games. He’s trying to really play an active role in these males’ lives, which is really, really important.”

Sneed is a graduate of Charles Henderson High School, where he was a star athlete. Now, he owns and operates Physiques by SUSO in Troy and is a published author. Sneed emphasizes discipline and integrity in the program.

“Through everything – wherever you are – those principles are needed not just to be a great student but to be an overall great human being,” Sneed said. “You have to hold yourself accountable. We don’t believe in excuses here. We can build up a bunch of excuses for why we don’t do the right things but holding yourself accountable for your actions is the ultimate discipline.”

Sneed pointed to the acronym DEAD as being key to the program.

“Discipline, execution, accountability and dedication,” he continued. “All of those things “DEAD” every excuse you could make. You have to be disciplined, you have to execute your plan, you have to hold yourself accountable and you have to be dedicated if you are going to be a success. As a student, you have to have those principles in order to be a success.”

Sneed said it was also important to give the students a voice to be heard from him.

“Just being able to express themselves and have someone to listen to them is big,” he said. “Often times, as adults, we have all of these years of experience over them but we’ve never lived their lives during this particular time. So, their situation is unique from ours. Give them the opportunity to talk and be more solution based.”

Sneed talks to his students in the program a lot about consequences of their actions.

“Discipline isn’t punishment, I don’t believe in punishment,” he emphasized. “I believe that everyone is rewarded for their actions. Stopping at a stop sign is a perfect example. You can keep going, and not stop, but there are consequences that come with that. It’s not punishment, you may be rewarded with a ticket or a car accident or even death based on your decision.”

Sneed also pointed out that sometimes what feels right, may not be the best decision and he preaches that to the students he mentors.

“To them, based on their experiences, it may be the right thing to do but was it the best thing? Right sometimes isn’t what’s best,” he said. “What’s the best decision for you to make? How you were raised – or based on your environment – that may have been right to you but is that the best decision to make long term based on your goals? We don’t just do what’s right, we do what’s best.”

The students in the mentorship program already see the positives.

“I like it, I feel like it helps me become a better person and it will help me throughout my life,” GHS student Jacob McNeil said of the program.

Fellow GHS student Layton Burgans has also seen the benefits.

“I think the program is really good,” he said. “I think it’s really motivational and makes us want to work harder and maybe stay out of the streets and be better citizens.”

Student Sam Adams said that Sneed’s mentorship has made him realize he wants to help others, as well.

“I think he’s a motivational speaker,” Adams said of Sneed. “He sees something in us that maybe sometimes we don’t see in ourselves. I think it’s helped me because I want to be able to help others, like he does.”

GHS student Brody Meredith said that this program could have long-lasting impacts on he and his classmates.

“I think it helps us know what we need to do in the real world,” said Meredith. “It teaches us how to stay on the right path and not end up in prison or worse.”