“I would be there from 2 to 5 every day,” said Paul, a junior this year.

Paul spent his summer working mostly with children from the Knights of Pythagoras Mentoring Network, a grassroots, character-building organization for boys ages 7 to 17.

Other children in the community also took part in the Summer Enrichment Academic Program, SEAP, held at the Delray Full-Service Center at 301 SE 3rd Street.

“I learned to have a lot of patience, and I realized it is hard to be a teacher,” Paul said.

“It made me relearn the things that I have taken for granted.”

But Paul quickly picked up the nuances of helping children to learn. After a trying beginning, he returned with gusto, said Knights of Pythagoras founder C. Ron Allen. Allen and his mentoring group have been recognized by several local and national bodies, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and former President Bill Clinton.

On a typical day, Paul arrived around 2 p.m. to students anxiously awaiting his visit.

“If I had to help out with reading, I would go over some questions with them and ask them to write a summary of what they’ve read,” he said. “Some days I would work with just one child depending on the need, other days I would help a number of children.”

Paul learned that many of the second and third graders would be held back if they didn’t pull through. He noticed a big difference in their work after a few weeks. “All they need is for someone to guide them and spend some extra time going over things with them,” he remarked. “It’s amazing how spending just a few hours with someone can help them improve.”

The program always needs volunteers, said Allen, who is putting the call out for students and adults to help out after school or on Saturdays. “Paul deserves a purple heart for worming his way through traffic in the afternoons,” Allen said. “Although we had a mixed group, the majority of them are from a different culture than Paul’s. The cultural awareness was good for him and the children. Having to supervise them was something else.”

The summer program had 138 children from first grade through high school. The program has been extended to year- round. “Paul gave up his summer for our children. He has paved the way for others to come. All we ask is for at least one hour a week with these children,” Allen said. Since school started, Paul has had to take a break from tutoring, but he plans to rejoin the group this fall. His commute will be easier because his family is moving from Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton.

To volunteer with the Knights of Pythagoras Mentoring Network, call 561-665-0151.