Senior creates outreach program

In fact, Thomson single-handedly created a foundation called the Crossroads Mentoring Program through the Salvation Army as an emotionally supportive program for troubled middle-school girls. Inviting Madonna’s dancers was just one of the many events Thomson has organized for these less-fortunate pre-teens.
    
Thomson’s mother is involved with the Salvation Army Family Center in South Central, which prompted her daughter’s interest in participating.
    
“When I was in eighth grade, I started accompanying my mom to the Salvation Army and realized that it did not offer many programs for middle-schoolers; the main emphasis was on high-schoolers and young children,” she said.
   
As a freshman, Thomson decided to take action and instituted a mentoring program for youth.
   
She started by pairing her friends from Poly with middle-schoolers seeking emotional support. Most came from homes with parents who were either jailed or in trouble with the law.

Once a month, Thomson organizes “big-little sister” events, which are held either in Pasadena or at the Salvation Army building in South Central Los Angeles. Each event involves a speaker, a performer or another activity. The speakers are people who have become successful despite enduring difficult situations. The hope is to inspire the girls to realize that they can do whatever they want with their lives if they put their minds to it.  

Thomson hopes to host Ellen DeGeneres at a future event.