‘Buddy Program’ Connects 3rd-Graders with High School Mentors

Penn-Trafford’s annual ‘Big Buddy Day’ has been a mainstay at the school district for well over twenty years, and is an opportunity for high schoolers to connect with and mentor elementary students. The big buddy program is sponsored by the high school’s community service club, ‘CAP,’ and this year it was spearheaded by 12th-grader Faith Czesnakowski.

High schoolers who volunteered to serve as buddies were each assigned to a third-grader from one of the district’s five elementary schools. The buddies wrote a series of letters to each other throughout the school year covering topics like their interests, families, and the older students made sure to encourage their young friends to work hard.

“Having the most understanding teachers and faculty made the process so much easier and helpful,” commented Czesnakowski, who facilitated the letters with all the elementary teachers.

On a sunny mid-April day, the buddies had the opportunity to meet each other in person at Warrior Stadium. Czesnakowski and a team of CAP volunteers managed carnival-themed games featuring Plinko, cornhole, bowling, giant Jenga, coloring, water guns, hula hoops, soccer, football, an obstacle course, jump rope, and more. Czesnakowski personally raised enough money to book the Kona Ice truck for the afternoon, and commented “I can not thank the community enough for donating money for this cause. There were just over 600 students on the field that day, and I could not imagine the day going any better.”