Editor:
 
On behalf of the students at Aspen Elementary School and Aspen Middle School, we would like to thank the over 60 Aspen High School students who volunteered as peer-to-peer mentors with our students this year. We especially want to thank the awesome ladies of the Buddy Program, who continue to support kids in our valley in all aspects of their lives. From school to mentoring to funding summer activities and counseling needs, the Buddy Program continues to facilitate the development and support of all of the children in our valley.
  
It was amazing watching relationships form between our high schoolers and our younger students. They spent an hour each week of their free time coming to the middle or elementary school to play games, have lunch, chat and mentor their younger buddy. Some of these buddies have been paired for three years now and the younger ones were so sad to see their big buddy graduate this year! Thanks again to everyone who gave their time and energy to helping our young students feel confident and excited to be in school.