On February 19th, 2026, Belleville High School staff and students gathered to celebrate the mentors and mentees of the Tiger Village program at their end of semester banquet at Angel Food Catering Banquet Hall.
The banquet was a celebration of both relationships and growth from students. Families of the students were also in attendance to celebrate their loved ones. During the banquet, students were recognized and honored for their hard work by their mentors and staff.
The banquet consisted of a delicious dinner with music from Belleville’s jazz band, followed by introductions to the people, as well as the program, and followed by a scholar award ceremony for the hard-working students.
The Tiger Village program mission is to help students improve their academic performance through setting goals for themselves with an incentive. Students work towards these goals throughout the entirety of the semester.
Students are able to select a teacher that they want to work with as a mentor. Mentors offer support to students by consistently checking in, being a safe space, creating a plan for student success, listening without judgment, and advocating for them when it’s needed.
Ms. Cross, BHS English teacher, commented on the growth that occurs in students who are a part of Tiger Village. Through the program she saw, “students grow not just in grades, but in confidence.” In addition, she also said, “When students feel known and supported, they try harder.”
Through this program students have been given the opportunity to better their academic success, they’ve taken it, and succeeded significantly.
