Building Bonds: 8th Graders Embrace Mentor Roles in the Buddy Program

Keller, Dana

Nov 21, 2025

Eighth grade mentors read alongside their elementary partners during a Buddy Program visit.

Eighth grade mentors alongside their elementary partners during a Buddy Program visit, part of an effort to build connections across grade levels in Vicenza schools.

A successful initiative, the Buddy Program, has taken root within the Vicenza community schools, creating meaningful connections between eighth grade students at Vicenza Middle School (VMS) and elementary school students at Vicenza Elementary School (VES).

This collaborative effort, which kicked off during the 2023-24 school year, was the brainchild of VMS eighth grade teacher Lezli Clendening and VES teacher Karin Haug. Their inspiration for the program stemmed from a shared observation: In the post-COVID environment, they noticed a critical need for students to strengthen their social and emotional connections.

Since the program’s launch, the entire VMS eighth grade teaching team has actively supported and joined the initiative. This year, nearly 200 students from VES and VMS are benefiting from the collaborative exchange.

The Buddy Program is built on a simple yet effective model where each VMS eighth grade advisory class is partnered with a VES elementary class, and every eighth grader is paired one-on-one with an elementary school buddy for the entire school year — big buddies and wee buddies. The classes meet consistently throughout the year, utilizing a dedicated, allotted time during the VMS advisory period, usually for approximately 30 minutes each week.

These weekly sessions are filled with engaging and educational activities designed to promote interaction and learning, including reading together, playing math games, working on seasonal art projects and enjoying shared time for fun on the playground.

The original purpose of the program was primarily for the benefit of the younger students, giving them a trusted older mentor and a positive role model. However, as the program progressed, the teachers and staff quickly realized the immense value it held for the eighth graders as well. Taking on mentor roles has proven to be vital to the eighth graders' sense of well-being, fostering responsibility, empathy and leadership skills. The program is not just bridging the age gap; it is creating a strong, supportive bond that is enriching the educational experience for all participants.