PLACERVILLE, Calif. — What began as a typical Thanksgiving feast at Independence High School on November 20 turned into a moment of profound connection when El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf walked in to surprise junior Lucas McRoberts.
Lucas, who had been matched with Leikauf years earlier through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra (BBBSNS), had no idea his former mentor would show up. The reunion quickly revealed the lasting impact of mentorship on both lives.
“Lucas is one of our main guys,” said Principal Jennifer Myers. “He helps us resolve student conflicts before they grow, he volunteers for everything, and he helped build our greenhouses—we trust him completely. He’s got straight A’s. He’s the most honest, incredible kid.”
Myers explained that Lucas had frequently spoken about the influence Leikauf had on him as a young teen. “He said, ‘Hey Myers, does Leikauf ever come here? He was my Big Brother. He had such an impact on me—I would love to see him.’ That’s all I needed to arrange the visit.”
For Sheriff Leikauf, the surprise was deeply meaningful. “It’s meant to be,” he said. “I absolutely relish the time being a Big Brother—providing support, providing guidance. You don’t always realize the things you’re imparting on a young person just by being in their life.”
He recalled memories from their time together: football games, pizza outings, attending the National Finals Rodeo, and watching Lucas’s Eagles play. “You don’t know the impact at the time, but obviously it meant something,” Leikauf said.
Mentorship programs like BBBSNS aim to create lifelong connections that can shape a young person’s trajectory. The organization encourages the community to support these efforts, helping more youths like Lucas receive guidance, friendship, and opportunities to thrive.
“My heart is to serve people,” Leikauf said. “Being connected with someone like Lucas reminded me that the gift God gave me—being a public servant—is really about being of service to everybody.”
