Emma Zhang: Jenks High School Reading Buddy
During her junior year, Jenks High School Senior Emma Zhang helped facilitate a pen pal program where her high school classmates exchanged letters with students who were English Language Learners. Noting the connections that were created, Emma built on the literacy component to implement a Reading Buddies program at Jenks this year.
TulsaKids: Tell me about your Reading Buddies project.
Emma: Around twice a month, my peers at Jenks High School and I read to kids at Jenks East Elementary. There are around 13 classrooms with 200+ kids we read to, and our kids range from second graders to fourth graders. Before we read to the kids, I checked out over 40 picture books from my local library to pass out to my volunteers.
TulsaKids: What prompted you to do this project?
Emma: Back in my junior year, I helped facilitate a pen pal program between English Language Learners and high school students. It was an extremely fulfilling experience because of the connections I saw my classmates make with kids that were completely different from them – even in language. I decided to create an opportunity for others to engage with their pen pals through reading, which matched my previous work using literacy to connect people of all backgrounds.
TulsaKids: How long has it been going?
Emma: We started Reading Buddies at the beginning of the school year, and I’m planning to continue it through the spring.
TulsaKids: What has the response been?
Emma: Around 30 high schoolers are currently volunteers, mostly 11th and 12th graders. One of the volunteers said, “I love doing Reading Buddies so much! It lets me build relationships with the kids I read to while also giving them a good time!”
TulsaKids: You’re a senior. Do you think the program will continue after you graduate?
Emma: Yes, I think it will. I want to find an underclassman to take over the program when I graduate and teach them how to organize Reading Buddies’ meetings and manage the pen pal programs.
TulsaKids: What was the most difficult part of starting this program?
Emma: My biggest challenge was garnering the resources and support for Reading Buddies. The amount of people that signed up for the program meant that I would need a large number of books every two weeks—something I didn’t have. However, I realized that I could find resources at my local library, and since then I’ve been going there every week to pick out books for the kids.
TulsaKids: What has been the most enjoyable part, and how does it make you feel?
Emma: The most enjoyable part by far is interacting with the kids. Every time I walk into the classroom, I have kids running up to me excitedly and giving me hugs. My volunteers have had similar experiences with their reading buddies as well! I’m really grateful and happy that the kids are loving this program so much and looking forward to it each week.
TulsaKids: What have you learned from doing it?
Emma: While I knew that my elementary school teachers had a large impact on me, the creation of this program allowed me to understand that teachers can come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re a high schooler or an elementary school educator, anyone can be a teacher and make a difference in a student’s life.
TulsaKids: What are your plans after high school?
Emma: After graduation, I plan to attend a four-year college and major in Evolutionary Biology & Ecology, with the hopes of earning a PhD in Developmental Biology. Eventually, I want to become a STEM educator and scientific researcher!
TulsaKids: What other things do you like to do?
Emma: In my spare time, I enjoy hiking. It’s a great way for me to relax and enjoy the environment in my local community. My favorite places to hike in Oklahoma are Turkey Mountain and Keystone Ancient Forest.
TulsaKids: Do you have a fun fact about yourself that you can share?
Emma: I’m in charge of monitoring a stream! Every month I go test its water chemistry and record my observations and send the data to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
