At the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Academy, a unique project has brought high school Baking & Pastries students together with third graders from Terry Redlin Elementary in a heartwarming exchange of letters, learning, and kindness. This semester-long pen pal program aimed to foster connections between the two age groups while teaching invaluable life lessons from R.J. Palacio’s acclaimed novel, Wonder.
The book, which explores themes of kindness, empathy, acceptance, and resilience served as a foundation for the activity. "We wanted our students, both high schoolers and third graders, to reflect on these lessons and carry them into their daily lives," said their instructor, Janelle Whempner.
In addition to exchanging letters, the high school students baked and delivered sweet treats to their younger counterparts several times throughout the semester, sparking excitement and anticipation on both ends of the exchange.
The program culminated in a field trip that brought the pen pals together in person. High school students visited Terry Redlin Elementary for a day filled with joy and shared experiences. The groups bonded over milk and cookies, colored together, and even played a math-focused card game designed to sharpen their skills while building friendships.
"The excitement was palpable," Whempner shared. "Watching these students—who started as strangers—connect, laugh, and learn together was incredibly rewarding."
The activity not only bridged the gap between elementary and high school students but also reinforced the power of kindness, storytelling, and shared experiences to unite communities.
Through this initiative, the CTE Academy Baking & Pastries students demonstrated that learning extends far beyond the classroom, and a small act—like writing a letter or baking a cookie—can leave a lasting impact.