LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — “Sparty Friends” from across Lima City Schools spent part of the day celebrating fall at Faurot Park.
The Sparty Friends program is led by the district’s school resource officers. It pairs eighth graders with elementary students for mentoring and friendship-building throughout the school year.
“It gives the older kids something to keep them on track, with people looking up to them. And it gives the younger students somebody to look up to — somebody to help keep them on the right track,” said Brittany Smith, school resource officer for Lima City Schools.
Students spent the afternoon decorating pumpkins, roasting marshmallows and taking a hayride through the park.
“We decorated it ... it has eyebrows, a nose, eyes, sharp teeth and, like, cat ears,” said Markquis Hill, a fourth grader at Unity Elementary, while showing off his pumpkin he created with his “big brother,” Jyarious Cartwright, an eighth grader at Lima West.
Organizers say the Bigs and Littles get together each month for different activities.
