Kornacki: Pen Pal Program Bonds Wolverines, Pittsfield Penguins
4/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Community Engagement
April 1, 2015
Pittsfield Elementary School fifth-grader Lauren Wunkel asked to try on Michigan middle-distance runner Gina McNamara's varsity letter jacket, and it was reason to celebrate.
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- On Tuesday afternoon (March 31), Michigan rower Kate Wright and her pen pal, Lauren Wunkel, got to meet for the first time in Pittsfield Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Jenny Barcelata's classroom.
They'd become friends through their letters touching on everything from Banana Banana Blitz ice cream (Lauren's favorite) to reading and writing topics. Lauren sent Kate one of her school photos, and Kate proudly displays it in her car.
But now they were face to face, and they couldn't stop smiling.
"I have learned not to give up on my writing from Kate," said Lauren. "She says it's going to get harder, and I have to keep up with it. I have fun talking with Kate in those letters, and my writing has gone to a different level ever since."
Kate took a step back upon hearing that, and her eyes twinkled.
"I'm so flattered!" said Kate. "This is awesome."
And they weren't alone in their bonding experience. A dozen Wolverines student-athletes took part in the meet-and-greet that included reading at recess, classroom games, playground fun and lunch in the school cafeteria. Most of the 18 fifth-graders hooked up with their college pen pals, and the student-athletes unable to attend because of class schedules sent along a special letter to their pen pal.
"Fifth grade is a pivotal time for growth," said Barcelata. "They are going to be moving onto middle school soon and have a lot more responsibility. They are learning what it takes to be a successful student-athlete from their pen pals.
"We tell them that they have to be present and be organized, and they see and learn how to do that from their pen pals, who have the determination and discipline to succeed in every way at a great school. They've learned about corresponding and writing skills. And through the interaction, they are learning about their own identities by writing about family, pets, talents, favorite restaurants and other interests. They form in their own minds just who they are."
Members of teacher Jenny Barcelata's fifth-grade class at Pittsfield Elementary School in Ann Arbor pose with their University of Michigan student-athlete pen pals during a Tuesday afternoon meet-and-greet at the school.
They've been corresponding for the last three months in the program initiated by University of Michigan community engagement coordinator Jevon Moore and Ann Arbor Public Schools business partnerships and volunteer coordinator Annette Ferguson. Andrea Johnson, a Michigan community engagement intern and former Wolverines rower, organized the pen pal connections and meet-and-greet. Barcelata said the program has been so beneficial that she hopes it can be expanded in the fall semester.
Barcelata said the Michigan student-athletes have been great role models for her students.
Fifth-grader Liam Bush said Michigan middle-distance runner Chelsey Miller has inspired him both academically and athletically. Liam loves skateboarding and snowboarding, but his correspondence with Miller sparked an interest in track and field.
"Making friends is one of my favorite things," said Liam, "and having a friend at the University of Michigan is great! And it's made me think about track and field. I might try out for the high jump; I like that."
Chelsey had fun on the playground swings with Liam.
"I was surprised Liam didn't ask me to race," Chelsey said with a chuckle.
They've learned much about one another, including that the both enjoy cooking and that their favorite candy is Skittles. Though, Liam likes the sour Skittles.
"Liam is a pretty funny kid," said Chelsey. "He's an artist and knows what he wants to do. He's hoping to design video games someday. And he can really draw! He drew a maze for me to get through and a great bookmark. I have a great pen pal. I made a snowflake for him with the block M and wrote 'M Go Blue!' on it because I know he likes the snow.
"He asked me if it's really hard to get into Michigan, and I told him it takes a lot of reading and hard work to be there."
Liam said, "They take a lot of different classes at Michigan, and it's hard to stay on track. So, she tells me she never puts off doing her school work to stay on track."
Chelsey is impressed with Liam's letters and noted that he fills both sides of a loose-leaf page with his thoughts and observations.
Michigan women's track and field middle-distance runner Chelsey Miller shared some playground fun with Pittsfield Elementary School fifth-graders Liam Bush (left) and Trent (right). Liam and Chelsey are pen pals.
"He wrote about a trip he took to Puerto Rico and about a special flower that is sacred there," she said. "He's a mature kid for his age and is a nice kid who is tolerant of others. He's getting ready to go to middle school and says he intends to keep up with all of his school work."
The student-athletes interacted with all the fifth-graders, and not just their pen pals. Lauren asked to try on track and field middle-distance runner Gina McNamara's varsity letter jacket and glowed after pulling it on.
Lauren said her mother took her to a pair of Wolverines rowing events last year even before she connected to Kate, who rows on Michigan's first varsity eight boat.
"You should come this year, too," said Kate.
Lauren said she's looking forward to seeing her pen pal in action.
"I don't really interact with anybody who is not my age," said Kate. "So, it's fun to see the things Lauren is doing and share our lives. And she makes me really pretty cards with glitter."
Lauren added, "I wrote her name in glitter! And in Kate's letters, she's really outgoing and makes things exciting. She asks funny questions like what my favorite ice cream is. It's Banana Banana Blitz. I love ice cream.
"The letters are fun, and you look forward to them, writing back and forth. It's not just like somebody who forgets about me. Kate always remembers to write."
They're connected as friends with genuine interests in one another. Chelsey said she's hoping to attend a school music recital Liam has in May.
"I'm enjoying writing the letters and getting to know a great kid in Ann Arbor," said Chelsey, whose hometown is Indianapolis. "Being an athlete at Michigan provides a tremendous platform to make an impact in the lives of young students.
"It's nice to have someone to look up at when you're growing up. Using being an athlete to do something good in the community and making a friend is special."
Bonding in person after doing so in letters was a treat. When rower Hanna Zlotnick arrived at the elementary school on Ann Arbor's southwest side after a class, fifth-grader Sofia Rodriguez-Dantzler lit up upon their introduction.
"I love your shirt!" said Hanna, pointing to Sofia's maize and blue creation with glitter lettering for the University of Michigan Wolverines.
The student-athletes played Scrabble, Uno, Connect 4 and Battleship with the fifth-graders, and topics like proper nouns and math worked their way into conversations. It was difficult determining whether the elementary school or college kids were having the most fun.
Two Michigan rowers enjoy the tension of a game with two Pittsfield Elementary School fifth-graders. Seconds later, the structure came crashing down to shrieks and laughter.
Barcelata printed on a bulletin board poster in the room:
"Reading is the sole means by which
we slip involuntarily, often helplessly into
another's skin,
another's voice,
another's soul."
Those are the words of American author, playwright and poet Joyce Carol Oates, who seemed to understand the Pen Pal Program long before it formed a joyful two-way street between the Michigan Wolverines and Pittsfield Penguins.
The Pen Pal Program is one of many initiatives that student-athletes are participating in through the recently launched Let's Go Do community service program. Built in partnership with Michigan's student-athletes, Let's Go Do focuses on providing all 31 varsity teams a diverse range of meaningful volunteer opportunities in the community. To learn more about this program, please visit MGoBlue.com/community.
