While some students typically spend lunch talking to friends or scramble to finish homework for next period, others leave for Pinedale Elementary to improve youth literary skills each week.

The Book Buddies program began on Oct. 2 when a group of 12 students traveled by bus to Pinedale to read to the elementary students for 30 minutes during their recess time.

“I have only known my buddy for a couple of weeks, but whenever I see him, he smiles and eagerly points to the spot he wants to sit,” Kara Linkowski, ’08, said. “He’s quiet but I hope he’ll come out of his shell soon. I want to form a relationship with him like I did with my buddy last year. She saw me as a friend and always greeted me with a hug and call out my name when I first entered the library each week.”

In order for high school student volunteers to learn more about the program, expectations, and basic instructions, program adviser, Linda Amparano, organized a mandatory meeting on Sept. 26 and trained the group.

“I think it is important that the high school students come because it is important for the students to serve and help the kids,” Amparano said. “It is also beneficial because it help the kids learn important literary skills, which would increase their confidence because the high school students are there to help.”

Students leave campus every Tuesday before chapel at 12:05 P.M., and return by the end of lunch at 1:10 P.M. Students involved in the program will receive full community service hours for first semester. This is the third year the campus has participated in the program.

“I love working with little kids, because they are so innocent,” Sasha Arroya, ’07, said. “I am participating in book buddies because I want to become a teacher and I wanted to have experience with kids.”

The kids involved range from first grade to sixth.

“The students love the one-on-one attention that the high school students give them,” Amparano said. “They really like teenagers and always look forward to when the high school students come.”

Since students have volunteered at Pinedale, the campus and individual reading scores improved.

“This is my second year in Book Buddies, and I keep going because I want to became the kid’s friend,” Rachel Kruger, ’08, said. “I love kids and I love to read to them. I love working with kids with all my heart because they’re God’s children.”

Out of 12 current student volunteers in the program, seven returned.

“I love participating because I love to read,” Will Hierholzer, ’07, said. “Book Buddies is a great opportunity, because it supports and encourages kids who struggle with reading.”

For more information, call Amparano at 438-8719.