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Warrior Pals Last Meeting of the School Year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachiah Roberson
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Stacking cups, playing kickball and scavenger hunts -- just a few of the teamwork essential activities Warrior Pals take part in on base.

The Warrior Pals program was created in January to bring the base community closer by partnering volunteer service members at Carl Ben Eielson Elementary School to participate in fun events together.

This year 35 children, grades 1 through 3, partnered with volunteers.

Hannah Seeger, special education strategist for Eielson, created the program to give the children role models similar to the YMCA Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program.

Seeger also created all of the learning activities that the pals do together.

"This program gives the children involved opportunities to advance their skills in making new friends, building teamwork skills, communicating with others, building life-long character skills and learning how to be a contributing member of a team," said Seeger.

Parents also like how the program helps shyer children and give them a figure to look up to.

"This program is great, the kids love it and they are excited every time they see their pals," said Liane Williams, a parent of a child in the program. "It's just a good way for kids to interact with military members, and it gives the kids a good role model."

Myles Castro, a second grader at Eielson and a Warrior Pal, said he loves the program.
"I can't wait when I know I'm going to see my pal, it's great to just hang out with them and get to know the other people," he said.

According to Seeger, since the program started, the children have shown an increase in friendship skills, they take more positive risks, and they are not as shy, said Seeger.

May 10 marked the seventh and final time this year that the groups have met.

During the most recent gathering, the pals took to the field behind Eielson to embark on a scavenger hunt. With a list of items to find, the volunteer service members had to rely on the children's knowledge of their school surroundings to find the key items.

"To see how all the kids act when they are interacting with their pals is great," said Jody Paulson, a speech language pathologist with Eielson. "Every time the groups meet, the children are ecstatic."

With such a successful result, Seeger said she is eager to get the next Warrior Pals going and is happy with the results of this year's program.

"I am really excited for next year, we have the Top 3 working with us to get the ball rolling for September, 2013," said Seeger. "Our students love it and are always asking when they will get to see their Warrior Pal again!"