B-E Buddies
By Joslyn Schrank on February 16, 2018
B-E Buddies is a group of students- the accounting I and accounting II class- that go and do different activities with the special needs children over at the elementary school in Bridgewater. They strive to meet with the children once every 2-3 months to do fun activities with them during the last hour of the day.
“This is my second year being in B-E Buddies and I can honestly say it has been amazing. The opportunity of being able to mentor them has impacted them so much in a positive way and taught us, as high schoolers, a lot of things. I think it is a great experience for the high schoolers, and I hope we continue to do B-E Buddies in the future,” senior Libby Bailey said.
The head of B-E Buddies is Jessie VanLeur who teaches both accounting I and II. The accounting I class consists of all juniors being Jamin and Abbi Arend, Jada Wethor, Katelyn and Kristin Kotas, Cate Meyer, Sydney Hoffman, Vanessa Hofer, Sierra Wollmann, Tessa Burnham and Joslyn Schrank. The accounting II class is made up of seniors including Libby Bailey, Bradlee Schultz, Dustin Weber, Rebecka Hoffman, Lindsey Berg, Natasha Summers and McKenzie Kirby.
“As a paraprofessional in elementary classes, I enjoyed the experience and relationships I built with the students. I started B-E Buddies because working with special needs students impacted my life greatly, and I wanted my accounting students to have the same if not, a better experience. B-E Buddies has exceeded my expectations and has been an amazing experience to watch interactions and friendships build among the students," Mrs. VanLeur said.
Oct. 30, the two classes went over to the elementary and painted pumpkins with the children. The children were paired up with 1-2 accounting students and painted their own picture on a pumpkin. Later, the accounting students thought of some races and made a competition out of those races. The children stayed in a group with their accounting student and raced other “teams” doing different activities such as crab walking, bear crawling, skipping, jumping and running.
“I really have enjoyed doing this. Spending time with these kids is such a wonderful experience. When we walk into the gym and see their faces light up there is nothing greater. The joy we bring them is outstanding. They truly know how to make another’s day, mine included. I also greatly appreciate Jessie allowing us to do this. She allows us to be a part of this wonderful opportunity and experience,” Sierra Wollmann said.
In Dec., the accounting students traveled over to Bridgewater for a second day of fun activities with the special needs children. This was a shorter time with the kids as the students got out early. The accounting students set up an obstacle course for the kiddos to go through. The obstacles included hopscotch, scooters, basketball, baseball and hockey.
The accounting classes hope to travel to the elementary in the month of Feb. and again in Apr. or May.
“This is my second year being in B-E Buddies and I can honestly say it has been amazing. The opportunity of being able to mentor them has impacted them so much in a positive way and taught us, as high schoolers, a lot of things. I think it is a great experience for the high schoolers, and I hope we continue to do B-E Buddies in the future,” senior Libby Bailey said.
The head of B-E Buddies is Jessie VanLeur who teaches both accounting I and II. The accounting I class consists of all juniors being Jamin and Abbi Arend, Jada Wethor, Katelyn and Kristin Kotas, Cate Meyer, Sydney Hoffman, Vanessa Hofer, Sierra Wollmann, Tessa Burnham and Joslyn Schrank. The accounting II class is made up of seniors including Libby Bailey, Bradlee Schultz, Dustin Weber, Rebecka Hoffman, Lindsey Berg, Natasha Summers and McKenzie Kirby.
“As a paraprofessional in elementary classes, I enjoyed the experience and relationships I built with the students. I started B-E Buddies because working with special needs students impacted my life greatly, and I wanted my accounting students to have the same if not, a better experience. B-E Buddies has exceeded my expectations and has been an amazing experience to watch interactions and friendships build among the students," Mrs. VanLeur said.
Oct. 30, the two classes went over to the elementary and painted pumpkins with the children. The children were paired up with 1-2 accounting students and painted their own picture on a pumpkin. Later, the accounting students thought of some races and made a competition out of those races. The children stayed in a group with their accounting student and raced other “teams” doing different activities such as crab walking, bear crawling, skipping, jumping and running.
“I really have enjoyed doing this. Spending time with these kids is such a wonderful experience. When we walk into the gym and see their faces light up there is nothing greater. The joy we bring them is outstanding. They truly know how to make another’s day, mine included. I also greatly appreciate Jessie allowing us to do this. She allows us to be a part of this wonderful opportunity and experience,” Sierra Wollmann said.
In Dec., the accounting students traveled over to Bridgewater for a second day of fun activities with the special needs children. This was a shorter time with the kids as the students got out early. The accounting students set up an obstacle course for the kiddos to go through. The obstacles included hopscotch, scooters, basketball, baseball and hockey.
The accounting classes hope to travel to the elementary in the month of Feb. and again in Apr. or May.
