Being the first to do something isn’t always easy, but it’s important for that first person to take a leap of faith to get others to follow.
When Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota announced it was starting a school-based program in the Holdingford School District in Fall 2022, Emily Ottman was the first person to sign up. Because of her courage, the program is thriving, and has surpassed its goal for the number of matches each year.
Not only is the Holdingford program thriving, Emily’s match with her Little Sister, Bailey, is also thriving. The duo was first matched in January 2023, and over the course of the last two years, Emily has become a consistent presence in Bailey’s life, and helped her through some tough times – while also having a lot of fun. Now, Emily is the 2025 state and Central Minnesota High School Big Sister of the Year.
Bailey was in first grade when she and Emily first met, and following a tough loss for her family, she needed some extra support with starting school again and classroom expectations. Their weekly meetings quickly became a highlight for both Bailey and Emily, and Emily’s consistency helped Bailey open up to those around her and get more settled into classroom life.
Emily and Bailey love coloring and making bracelets together, and Bailey was thrilled when she noticed that Emily keeps the bracelets she made on the water bottle she carries around with her. When they’re being creative and hanging out, Emily talks with Bailey about what’s happening at school and at home, and encourages her to make good choices. They talk about what Bailey might do, and Emily reminds Bailey that no matter what, she is always there for her.
“Bailey absolutely loves Emily,” Bailey’s mom, Abbie, said. “They love to have a girls’ day at school; Bailey absolutely loves spending time with her and getting to do fun things!”
When Emily isn’t hanging out with Bailey, she’s talking about Bailey, and how important BBBS is for kids in the Holdingford district. She encourages her friends and classmates to become mentors, and is always willing to share about her experience with Bailey. She is a positive influence on Bailey, and is helping to find more mentors for kids in her community.
“(Being part of BBBS) is a lot of fun not only for the Little, but for the Big,” Emily said. “It makes an impact on both people in the match, and it’s a lot of fun. You get to help (the Little), and be a positive influence, and it’s just really about fun at the end of the day.”