Dobbs, Chantel and School students Til, right, Jakayla left, Middle Willis a few of the letters they received from student athletes at the pen pal program, said its Cornelia the Willis, at UB who at Buffalo. a senior created is to promote healthy lifestyles, bullying messages and positive outlooks. anti- com color Photos by Scott Schild. Purchase photos at www.BeeNews. “I t’s really nice getting a letter from a college athlete,” said fifth- grader Chantel Til. “I asked them what their favorite foods and sports were.”

Her questions, along with those posed by hundreds of her peers, were answered in what many consider an “old- school” way: a handwritten letter.

In today’s social media- driven world, receiving a letter in the mail seems like a thing of the past. But not at Cheektowaga

Central Middle School.

More than 100 college athletes from the University at Buffalo have partnered with middle

student the at Buffalo’s athlete Kellie Pieper, University development adviser, explains how the pen pal program between the college and Cheektowaga Middle School has had a major impact on both parties involved. Cheektowaga students to create a pen school show program, designed to have pal University toward an impact on youth looking mission higher education and opp ortunity.

At the district’s Jan. 10 School

Board meeting, representatives from UB accepted a 2011 Community

Involvement

Award in the “business/ agency/ organizat ion ” category.

Cornelia Willis, a senior on the UB rowing team; Kellie Pieper, student athlete development coordinator; and Sharon Sanford, assistant athletic director, were all in attendance. Willis, a Cheektowaga English Clarence resident who created pal program, said it the pen not only helps to extend the university’s reach in the community but also showcases the advantages of going to college and increases of awareness about leading show a healthy letters lifestyle. at “We wanted to mesh all of our platforms and wishes for kids of the future,” she said. “From my perspective, seeing the impact it has had is very rewarding.” And the middle school students aren’t the only ones taking something away from the experience. Willis said behind to working the scenes coordinate the project was entertaining, especially when witnessing anticipation watch the many athletes would game. the college to receive Nogaro when waiting back from the students

Cheektowaga Central.

The program began in the fall and has shown signs of positive influence. Willis paired each classroom with two or three college athletes. From there, the letters sent back and forth focused on such topics as music, tips on how to do well in school and anti- bullying themes.

English teacher Jillian Nogaro said the comments she has heard from her students are so inspiring, especially when many of them are used to communicating through social media.

When the first batch of letters arrived, written with multicolored pens and markers and decorated with glitter, she said she was in awe.

“It’s incredible to see this in an age where people don’t write letters,” she students, said. “It’s exciting time that the and students want in to write these long letters, “ using descriptive r, words. Steele,

It’s every English teacher’s dream.” defensive

And the experience offering didn’t stop in younger the classroom. themselves.

In November, more than UB

500 middle Jason school students math boarded a buses to take a the field trip to the

Alumni Arena at the UB

North Campus in

Amherst to blossom. a college basketball said that for some email: this was their first visiting a college campus, since the trip, some chatter the classroom has been focused on future plans. I want to be a football playe

” said sixth- grader Greg who could barely contain his excitement when talking about his favorite UB Bulls’ back, Alan Hayes. And while UB athletes are inspiration to a generation, they’re receiving some words of wisdom

Chantel said her class gave tennis player and pen pal

Simon a few practice problems, after receiving letter where he admitted that subject isn’t his strongest.

The pen pal program is something the district plans to continue in the future, and Willis said that while she’s graduating in the spring, she has faith that the initiative will continue to

jolenez@beenews.com