A shy second-grader at Thorpe Gordon Elementary School, Corrin Lepper was unsure how things would go when she was matched with retired middle school teacher Bev Price through the Missouri Valley Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Lepper's mother, Marianna Coussas, was rearing three daughters by herself and wanted some extra one-on-one adult time with good role models for them.
"Bev has been a blessing in our lives," Coussas said. "God kind of put us together to help (Lepper) succeed in life."
When Lepper was little, the pair would go on outings - walks at the Runge Nature Center, working in Price's garden or baking cookies.
"It gives kids the opportunity to do stuff they may never have done before," Lepper said.
Now, eight years later, she is a teenager and their relationship has matured.
"I feel like I can talk about more personal stuff," Lepper said. "And she can help me with my English (homework).
"It's a fun experience to have another person to turn to."
A former middle school volleyball coach, Price has enjoyed coaching Lepper's younger teams and, now, sitting in the stands at her games.
"She turned out to be a fantastic athlete," Price said.
The two recently signed up to co-coach a younger volleyball team.
Being a Big Sister to a teenager is more different than with an elementary-aged student, she said.
"My role has changed," Price said. "It's easy when they're little; everything is fun and they enjoy just being with you.
"But it's important for teenagers to have someone to talk to, too."
Instead of formal outings, Price and Lepper tend to use the carpool time from practices and other activities to grab a bite at YoYums or catch up with each other.
"We have both enjoyed watching her grow," Coussas said. "I feel it would really have been a struggle without Bev. Not only has she helped Corrin, I think she's helped us as a family, too."
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