Although I didn’t attend RMA in Lower School and missed the first half of the “buddy experience,” I can confidently say that being an older buddy has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time here. Watching my buddy grow, learn, and open up has been rewarding in ways I never expected.
If you’re unfamiliar with RMA, you might be wondering about this program that has meant so much to me. The Buddy Program at RMA is a long-standing tradition that pairs Middle and Upper School students with those in Lower School. These pairings ideally remain the same year after year, allowing students to develop genuine and lasting friendships with schoolmates they might not have otherwise gotten to know. As a senior at RMA, I’m paired with a fifth-grade buddy, Lucas Simone. When I graduate in May, Lucas will receive a younger buddy of his own, continuing the cycle of mentorship and friendship that defines the program.
To learn how this tradition began, I spoke with second-grade teacher Ms. Libba Weaver, who has taught at RMA since 1977. She explained that the idea originated in the late 1990s with Mrs. Virginia Brewer, an RMA parent who wanted “to promote friendships among the students and give the little ones someone to look up to.” Since then, the Buddy Program has become an integral part of RMA’s culture.
Each year’s Buddy Program kicks off in the very first week of school with a cookout that lets buddies catch up and talk about our summers. Later, we celebrate holidays side by side, coloring valentines in February or teaming up in the spring for field day’s hula-hoop race, which is always a favorite. In the fall or winter, a few lucky Lower School buddies get to participate in the Homecoming pep rally by accompanying their big buddies during the presentation of the Homecoming Court. Walking hand-in-hand with their buddies as the entire school cheers them on makes for a big, special moment that perfectly captures the spirit of the RMA community.
The 2025–2026 school year marks an exciting new chapter for the Buddy Program. In addition to fostering relationships within RMA, this year’s focus is on building connections that reach beyond our campus. “This year, our Buddy events are designed with a purpose, aiming to encourage our students to make a difference in the community,” says Ms. Renee Barbour, who teaches Global Studies to Lower and Middle School students and took the lead in planning this year’s activities.
The first community-focused event took place in conjunction with RMA’s Veterans Day parade. Seniors proudly held American flags as local veterans drove around the school, greeted by cheers and waves from students and faculty despite the cold temperatures. Following the parade, buddies gathered to color and decorate bags that will be used to deliver meals for Rise Against Hunger, an organization that provides food to people in need around the world. It was a touching reminder that even small acts like coloring a bag with a younger friend can help make a big difference beyond our school walls.
Filling these bags in December will be our next Buddy event, as RMA students will work to pack over 20,000 (no, that’s not a typo!) meals to be sent across the world. Service clubs across RMA, which always undertake some kind of charitable project around the holidays, have been encouraged to help by raising money to donate to this effort.
Not wanting to limit kindness to the holiday season, RMA has planned two more community-oriented events. The first is the Valentine’s Day event “RMA Cares About You,” where students will donate items and create bags for local law enforcement to use when they encounter children in crisis. RMA’s May event, “You are my Sunshine,” will have buddies organize a simple, fun activity for nursing home residents in our area.
In the end, the Buddy Program remains one of RMA’s strongest traditions. It has always been about friendship, and this year it’s also about service. Whether we’re cheering together or packing meals, buddies are reminded that small moments of kindness can make a big impact.
