Amanda VanDaGriff admits she was a bit lost during the beginning of her junior year in the Missouri Southern nursing program.

She said having a helping hand would have made things a lot easier.

But she didn’t have one.

Now that she’s a senior, VanDaGriff, a nursing major, wanted things to be different for juniors and seniors in the nursing program.

“Things can be pretty stressful,” VanDaGriff said. “The program can get overwhelming if you let it.”

As president of the Student Nursing Association, VanDaGriff and fellow executive officers came up with a junior/senior mentor relationship program. The relationship would give juniors an opportunity to talk with seniors.

If juniors have any questions or need any advice, seniors are going to be there for answers.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Marsha Hill, senior nursing major. “Last year we didn’t get to know the seniors that well.”

VanDaGriff wanted an event that was away from University grounds and without faculty.

“We just want to talk and visit,” she said.

So Sept. 15, at Schifferdecker Park in Joplin, the inaugural event for juniors and seniors was held.

Alma Hudson, senior nursing major, brought a large bowl of snack mix for the occasion.

“I think by taking an active part in someone else’s education it can help build your own goals,” she said.

The balloons were filled with air. A handful of seniors were patiently waiting as well.

All the seniors needed now, were some junior classmates.

But no one showed.

“They’re going to regret not coming here,” said Lynn Wells, nursing major. “I think they would have had a lot of questions.”

As upbeat as the evening was, general attitudes changed.

Other seniors that attended were Heather Shofler and Kara Lauderdale.

It was no longer an opportunity for advice and questions. The seniors called the evening “Senior Fest.”

“I think everyone was crying at this time last year,” Wells said.

VanDaGriff said juniors looked stressed out the first week of class and an event such as the mentor relationships meeting would have been perfect for them.

But since no one showed, VanDaGriff said it’s really too bad.

“This is really disappointing,” VanDaGriff said.