Checkers. Connect Four. Candy Land. Jenga. These are all games the PALs play with their PALees during visits.

PALs, which stands for Peers Assistance and Leadership, is a class for high school students to mentor elementary and middle school students.

“I wanted to make an impact on a young elementary student’s life and positively help out the community,” junior Nathan Puckett said.

For the first few weeks, the PALs go through training to help them cope with the kids’ situations.

“It’s definitely not the most fun part of being a PAL,” junior Ashlyn Summerbell said. “However, it is worth it because in the end, we are helping someone who is in need of mentoring.”

The kids are chosen by their counselors and each PAL is given two children to mentor.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to put a smile on a kid’s face,” Puckett said. “I never knew this program would be so rewarding.”

During the class prior to the visit, the PALs brainstorm fun and engaging activities they do with their elementary students. The activities can range from playing simple games to making arts and crafts. The main goal is to create a positive relationship with the student.

“One of my favorite games I like to play with my PALees is Jenga because it’s a challenge for both of us,” Summerbell said. “It’s an easy way for us to bond and just get to know each other.”

During first or second period, PALs visit their kids usually once a week, 30 minutes for each PALee.

“PALs is really fun. They always look forward to seeing us come,” junior Grace Pressly said. “It’s just really nice to see their faces light up whenever you walk in because they always know they’re about to go do something fun.”

When PALs members are not on a visit, they are in the classroom learning how to be a better person and mentor.

“I love the way Mrs. McCabe puts the lessons in a way we can relate to them,” junior Taylor Black said. “It’s awesome because I’ve actually used some of the things she taught us in my own life.”

Since there is a PALs 1 and PALs 2, students are given the opportunity to get to know their students even better.

“I like PALs because I get to spend time with younger students and mentor them,” senior Amanda Slaton said. “It’s really rewarding and that’s why I decided to do it for a second year.”

Those rewards result in long-term advantages as well.

“PALs is not only a great way to help out a child in need, it is a way to teach high school students important social skills and essential leadership skills that will last a lifetime,” Black said.