KENNEBUNK — The hard tiles give way to a plush carpet of stone gray, with step seating cascading down to a lecture and performance space, a large projection screen overseeing all.

It’s a learning area just off one of the main arteries at Kennebunk Elementary School, and it was made for appearances such as these.

Dorothy Bush “Doro” Koch, honorary co-chair of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and daughter of former President George H. W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush, traveled to the school on Thursday to announce award recipients of the Teen Trendsetters program, a youth-driven mentoring initiative that pairs teenage volunteers with elementary school students in an effort to boost and accelerate literacy. Members of Kennebunk High School’s alternative education program comprise the town’s Trendsetters, and they, too, were on hand as Koch offered her congratulations ”“ as well as a reading of the children’s book “If I Build A House” by Chris Van Dusen for the scores of young students in attendance.

“It’s an exciting day in the schools for Kennebunk, and in schools all throughout Maine,” said Koch, book perched atop her lap. “Eighty-eight percent of students who do not graduate from high school were behind in their reading in the third grade. The bond and memories that the mentors and mentees share is so important.”

Thursday marked the kickoff for the Teen Trendsetters program in schools across the state; students from Bonny Eagle High School are also participants, and high schools in Wells, Lewiston and Windham count themselves among a list of 22 schools total that have seen teens volunteer their time to help children brush up on their reading skills.

Koch said that about 400 teen mentors, plus 400 elementary students, will benefit from the reading and leadership skills gained while participating in the program. Mentees, on average, gain more than one grade level in reading in less than one school year, she said, while mentors have a 96 percent graduation rate, with 82 percent going on to attend college.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” said KHS Principal Susan Cressey, who was among a handful of educators attending the event.

KHS student Briaunna Meyer ”“ who used to volunteer for the Big Sister mentoring program, and plans to do so again ”“ said she became a literacy mentor because she loves working with children.

That, in fact, was a common theme. Fellow student Lindsay Andrews said the young women in the alternative education curriculum voted to become a part of the Teen Trendsetters initiative largely for the same reason.

“I voted to be in it because I love working with kids,” said Andrews. “They’re really imaginative. My imagination isn’t what it used to be, so it’s cool seeing that again.”

While children are obvious beneficiaries of the older students’ assistance, the mentors gain valuable experience from the program as well. KHS student Heather Kidwell said she and her friend, Bella Bruns, pushed for the alt ed students to become involved because they themselves learn in unconventional ways, often benefiting from more hands-on experience than can be found in a typical classroom.

That trait ”“ being unconventional learners ”“ is something the mentors and mentees share, said Kidwell.

“These are all kids that learn in a different way,” she said. “We needed this ”“ we needed this program.”

“We’re making a difference with it,” Bruns said. “It’s something all of us want to do.”

— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 319 or jlagasse@journaltribune.com.