Dear Mentor Michigan Mentees,

I hope that 2007 was a rewarding and successful academic year for you.  As we begin 2008, I want to urge you to continue to focus and stay committed to your studies.  I want to encourage you to get involved in your schools, to volunteer at local non-profits and to discover opportunities for yourself that will open doors to your future. 

An important key to opening doors to your future is developing strong research and writing skills; these skills will enable you to develop your critical thinking as well as your communication style.  To that end, I want to advise you of an exciting essay competition that will further develop your research and writing skills - Promise of America: Explore* Dream*Discover.

John Hancock Financial has created Promise of America: Explore*Dream*Discover essay competition and adapted the program specifically for Mentor Michigan high school students.  This educational endeavor continues John Hancock’s commitment to supporting our youth in the public schools.  The essay competition allows you to research the patriot, John Hancock, discover what his role was as one of this country’s founding fathers, and writing about how John Hancock’s contributions have influenced you as a leader.

This program touches me personally, as John Hancock Financial has been a long-time supporter of Michigan and in particular our Mentor Michigan program. I will be joining John Hancock Senior Vice President James Gallagher as co-chair of this exciting essay competition and we look forward to hearing what you have to say in your essays.

This competition is a way for each of you to express your own vision of leadership and how you can foster positive change in your communities. I also encourage you to engage your mentor in assisting you with the essay competition.  Seize the opportunity to be a leader by entering the essay competition and sharing your ideas for the future.

By entering The Promise of America essay competition you will be eligible to win an all expense paid trip to Washington DC for a VIP July 4th Celebration with your mentor or parents/guardians.   The winner will also receive $10,000 to grow in a college savings plan.  There will be recognition for all applicants, along with their mentors, who enter the essay competition.  Please see the following pages for more details and information about the John Hancock Promise of America: Explore*Dream*Discover essay competition.

At John Hancock Financial they truly believe the future is yours. Remember to have a successful future, you’ve got to be free to lead with your best self!

Michigan’s First Gentleman
Daniel Granholm Mulhern