BFA Students Make Connections in High School Friends Program

Target 2. Leadership in a Student Centered Learning Environment – FWSU will foster development of teacher and student leaders who provide innovative opportunities for local and global student-centered learning.

Action Step – Provide multiple avenues for students and staff to lead, advocate, and serve within the school and community.

Indicator of Success – Student voice will have the power to impact the perceptions of others.

Did you know that BFA has a thriving student mentoring initiative?

Victoria Brown, Ivy, Nicolas, and Karan Saini have fun over lunch! — Victoria, Ivy, Nicolas, and Karan have fun over lunch!

The High School Friends program enables High School students to connect with younger students and serve as a big buddy and mentor. Buddies meet once a week to eat lunch, talk, play games, and get to know each other. This year over thirty pairs of buddies are participating in the program which is organized by two High School student coordinators.

Scout and Dahlia show off their creations

It is great fun to see the relationships that are formed between students. Big and little buddies alike look forward to seeing one another!

Smiles from buddies Ashley Williams and Justis Orton who have served as buddies to younger students for the past two years. — Smiles from buddies Ashley and Justis who have been buddies for the past two years.

While buddies usually meet individually, recently both big and little buddies enjoyed gathering together to celebrate winter holidays. Buddies had the opportunity to meet other sets of buddies and play games, do crafts, and/or decorate cookies.

“The High School Friends program is enriching! I like hanging out with my buddy and getting experience with kids.” ~ BFA HS Student Naomi Flemings. Naomi is considering education or accounting in her future.

The High School Friends program is just another way that BFA fosters student asset-building and positive leadership, collaboration, and friendship within a PreK-12 learning environment. We are excited to see so many young students connecting with older students who can be positive role models within the school.