For the members of the Community Action Program (CAP), the Big Buddy Program is an annual event to look forward to. 

     The program has been around for many years at Penn-Trafford, and it offers great opportunities for students. 

     It is a way to connect the high school students to the elementary kids across the district. 

   Each member gets paired with a 3rd grader from one of the five elementary schools. The high school students and 3rd graders get to exchange two letters before they meet in person for a fun event. 

    The program puts a focus on making good decisions and being involved in the community through the written letters.

 

     Through this, the elementary students are able to have a role model to look up to, and the high school students can make connections within the community.

    “I remember when I was in 3rd grade it was special to have someone to look up to through the Big Buddy Program,” said    Senior CAP member, Mckenna Trainor. 

    Big Buddy Chairman and vice president of CAP, senior Taylor Jones, has been coordinating the program. To prepare she has paired students with their buddy, and helped distribute the letters to the different schools.

   Jones mentioned how this year CAP is adding something new by having the high school students send invitations for the fun day to their little buddy.

    As of now, the fun day date is to be determined, but it will be held on the football field to make it similar to the elementary fun days. 

    The Community Action Program Sponsor, Lisa Popovich, added how this is a great opportunity for students to take time for others which is a big part of what community service is about. 

     “I am excited for the time that the high school students will be able to spend with their buddies,” said Popovich.

    For the past two years, the program was far from its normal due to COVID-19.                                  

Last year, only one letter was exchanged, while the year before both letters were exchanged but they were not able to do the fun day due to the pandemic. However, this year it is making a return for the better.     

     ¨I hope that both the high school students and 3rd graders have a good experience, especially this year bringing a new event after the pandemic canceling it last year,¨  said Jones.

     With high hopes for the event, the Community Action Program is excited everyone can finally get together and have a good time. 

By Maddie Klobucar, Managing Editor