The first thing 6th graders saw walking out into the main hallway was 9th graders lined up along the walls, holding up airport signs with their assigned buddy’s names. Every 9th grader made the signs themselves so that their 6th grader could have an easier time finding them. Once 6th graders found their buddies, they moved down to the Commons and were given 10 minutes to talk to their buddy and get to know them. Most people seemed to like their partners for 9th grade buddies. “My buddy is pretty tuff,” Justin Neillie says.
Then it was time for the games! The first game was snowball, a game Mr. Luong made. Everyone would find their 9th grade buddy group and surround one of the giant snowballs and whenever AJ (Amiri) Adolphin said, “Snowball” they would try to grab the snowball as fast as possible. Whoever didn’t grab the snowball in time or grabbed the snowball before AJ said “Snowball” had to do 5 star jumps. Based off what the 6th graders said, this was their favorite game. Alexa Ogorodnik says, “I got the snowball and there was all guys.” Alex Lachi, another 6th grader, says, “The snowball game, it was almost like, active and I really enjoyed the game itself.”
Then there was rock, paper, scissors snake edition. Just like the original game, the rules were simple. People would play a game of rock paper scissors and whoever loses lines up behind the winner. Last line standing wins! “It’s cool how you would win and how whichever line has all the people win,” says Alek Ogorodnik. This game was cut short due to time, but everyone was able to enjoy it while it lasted.
All of the games explained previously were made and scheduled by AJ, Logan Lao, Lucas Verbeurgt, Lillian Fenimore, Shaina Farber, Bareera Rai, Dominique Arevalo, and Julia Dumar. Everyone had a blast! “Sometimes you guys have to roll over but you did a good job,” Mr. Genzlinger said. Some teachers held important roles as well. Mr. Filler helped the 9th graders get organized and ready for buddies and Mr. Genzlinger paired up all the buddies. 9th grade buddies were made to build the community of this school and make 6th graders feel welcome because FWPA is like a huge family.
