The full circle between first-grade and senior buddies
By Erin Chow ‘25
Courtesy of Ila Reynolds-Kienbaum ‘27
First-grade and senior buddies are one of many Catlin Gabel School (CGS) traditions that have existed for years. This cherished tradition fosters a strong sense of community and mentorship, giving seniors a chance to reflect on how far they have come while offering first-graders a caring role model and a glimpse into their future at CGS.
Whether it is buddy field trips to the pumpkin patch, writing holiday cards, or playground playdates, these cross-division friendships create lasting memories and reinforce values of kindness, friendship, and relationship building.
This deeply rooted tradition began in the 1980s, when the buddy program was intentionally designed for each first grader to have one or two seniors who would become their buddies for the entire year. With the creation of this program, clear goals were laid out.
Senior Class Advisor and Upper School Librarian Sue Phillips, a longtime supporter of the buddy program, emphasized its enduring mission. “They really want to put seniors together with first-graders as role models and build relationships between some of our youngest students and students who have been here at least four years,” she said.
In addition to these goals, there is also a hope that the seniors will be able to look back on their experiences as first-graders while the first-graders can look ahead to what the future holds for them.
Every year, first-grade and senior buddy traditional activities are dispersed throughout the year. Although some of the traditions have shifted over time, they mainly consist of a fall field trip or fall-related activity, holiday handwritten cards, and a wintertime gathering.
This year, however, with the support of the Senior Class Advisors, Phillips and Enrique Escalona Fuentes, and the Senior Class Presidents, Leon Liu and Lyla Wohlgemuth, playground playdates have been added to the mix of first-grade and senior buddy activities.
Liu and Wohlgemuth decided that these playground playdates would be the perfect addition to the senior privileges that seniors get to experience in the spring. Once a week, the seniors venture down during recess and join their first-grade buddies. Some dive into playing tag, while others explore the fir-grove and collect leaves and pine-cones.
“John just suggested it as a way to have a senior privilege that didn’t take us out of the community the way that skipping C&C does,” said Wohlgemuth. She later added that it is nice to have a community-related senior privilege by playing with our buddies.
Oftentimes, these opportunities to spend time together as buddies strengthen connections within the school community. By creating traditions that celebrate both leadership and friendship, students can leave a lasting impact on one another. This spirit of connectedness is something Philips and Escalona Fuentes have witnessed firsthand over many years.
Phillips and Escalona Fuentes have seen generations of first-grade and senior buddies grow up and have enjoyed watching buddies experience exciting field trips and reunite after many years.
Escalona Fuentes recounted one moment last year where one of his students told him they “still remembered their senior buddy from first grade, and kept in touch until [they] were in 8th grade.”
Another fond moment was when senior Mia Archila reunited with her former senior buddy, Chris Park ‘14, this past year after stumbling into a CGS board meeting. Archila and Park happened to see each other, and they embraced and reunited. Phillips, who happened to see the encounter, recalled it as a “beautiful moment.”
Chris Park ‘14 and Mia Archila ‘25. Photo by Sue Phillips.
Park and Archila are great examples of how first-grade and senior buddy relationships can continue for many years, even as seniors part ways after graduation. These examples show how the buddy experience is truly unforgettable for many, showcasing the value of true friendship and kindness.
As the year concludes and seniors part ways with their first-grade buddies, there are truly so many amazing memories to look back upon. Picking out a pumpkin on the fall field trip, reading books together during the winter social, and playing on the swings during playground playdates are first-grade and senior buddy traditions that make this program unforgettable and unique.
Watch the following videos to hear specific enjoyable moments from this year’s first-grade and senior buddies.