FIRSTMATE (Friends Inspiring and Reinforcing Self-confidence through Maximizing Attention to Everyone) was created to encourage younger students' self-confidence and older students' responsibility, to provide help for younger students if they are having problems in school or with friends, and to provide an enjoyable way for elementary students to get to know high school friends.  In this program, students in grades 9-12 are paired with first and second grade students to serve as Big Sisters and Big Brothers for one school year.