Courtesy/Jeremy Morgan
The K-buddy tradition at Columbus Academy has always been filled with joy and genuine connection, and this year has been no different. Now, as seniors sit down to write their final letters to their K-buddies during their last advisory, it naturally invites a period of reflection on the time spent together and everything that has made this year so special.
It all began at Convocation, a day marked with nervous excitement and contagious energy on both sides. Each senior was paired with a kindergartner and sent out to the playground to run around, laugh, and start the process of getting to know one another. In those first moments, it was clear that something meaningful was taking shape. The kindergartners were wide-eyed and full of wonder, and the seniors, whether they expected it or not, found themselves immediately charmed.
From there, the year filled up with a nice variety of activities. Seniors read stories aloud to their buddies and got together around the holidays for arts and crafts, making small projects that gave the younger kids something to bring home. The pairs also shared breakfast once, a chance to hang out outside of the usual routine. With the guidance of Ms. Bening and senior K-buddy leader Chris H., each activity came together well and gave both seniors and kindergartners something to look forward to.
Senior Service Board President Miranda B-Y. reflected on the experience, saying, “Having a K-buddy is such a special CA tradition that I loved taking part in. Spending time with my buddy was one of the highlights of my senior year,” she said. Jackson A. echoed that sentiment, saying he enjoyed getting to know the younger members of the CA community and felt like he formed a real bond with his buddy over the course of the year.
As the seniors write their final letters, the K-buddy program serves as a reminder of what makes Columbus Academy feel like a community. The connections formed across grade levels, however simple, are ones that both seniors and kindergartners are likely to carry with them long after the year is over.
