buddy

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Dec. 20, 2025, 10:17 a.m. ET

Seniors Daisy Sarkodie and Evan Sanguinetti watch as kindregarteners Atlantis Skye Lopez and Levi Adu-Boghen color as Abby Kelley Foster Charter School hosts its annual event of pairing seniors with the school's youngest learners, the kindergarteners. This special day fosters a unique connection across the school community, as each senior is assigned one to two "Buddies" from the kindergarten class.

WORCESTER — Seniors at Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School made the short walk from their high school building to the elementary school for an annual event that paired them as “buddies” with kindergartners for a season-themed craft.

The event, on Friday, Dec. 19, meant to “foster a sense of school community” did just that for senior Stella Dunham, herself a student at Abby Kelley since kindergarten.

Dunham shared that she has friends who go to larger schools and don’t know everyone in their grade. She appreciates how close-knit her school is.

“I’ve known everyone since kindergarten. It’s a very small community. You know everyone in your class,” Dunham said.

Keysha Garshong, another senior, had also been at the school since kindergarten.

McKenzie Cabral ponders a question presented to her by her senior 'buddy' Keysha Garshong as she and fellow kindgartener Adonis Clarke color during Abby Kelley Foster Charter School's annual event of pairing seniors with the school's youngest learners, the kindergarteners. This special day fosters a unique connection across the school community, as each senior is assigned one to two "Buddies" from the kindergarten class.

Paired with elementary students, McKenzie Cabral and Adonis Clarke, Garshong walked them through the craft that organizer of the event, teacher Laura Russell, had earlier shown to seniors.

Seniors wrote kindergartners letters beforehand that they were able to read while paired up with them.

“I like seeing all the classrooms. There’s so many different fun things going on. It’s fun to see,” Garshong said as she worked with her two kindergarten buddies, asking them questions like “What’s your favorite color?”

Abby Kelley Foster Charter School hosts its annual event of pairing seniors with the school's youngest learners, the kindergarteners. This special day fosters a unique connection across the school community, as each senior is assigned one to two "Buddies" from the kindergarten class.

The event, which is in its third year, according to Executive Director Heidi Paluk, helps lead up to senior stroll at the end of the school year, where graduating students will walk through the kindergarten hallway in their cap and gown.

Events throughout the year help get seniors excited for the senior stroll.

“It’s definitely fun to be back. It’s crazy, I can’t believe I was ever this little,” said senior Mameya Owusu, sitting in a kindergartner-sized chair, cutting paper for buddy Adelina Favila.

Dunham was also excited, saying, “It’s fun seeing the teachers we used to have. It’s so nostalgic. It’s so cute. I’m glad we do this.”

Seniors and their kindergarten buddies will have other activities planned throughout the school year for seniors to “mentor and pass on this new school tradition to the next generation of students.”

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