The Buddies Club thrives at Palmerton High School

When Palmerton Area Senior High School opened its own high school life skills program for grades 9-12 and 18-21-year-olds, life skills teacher, Miss Mandy Cappella, saw a need for a social activity club. This club would allow the life skills students to engage in practical, everyday activities with peers from the student body. The Buddies Club has grown steadily since its inception in 2019. The group meets once a month and engages in activities such as playing board games, cooking, baking, holiday celebrations and art projects.

In the spring of 2022, the group had a canvas painting party. Using a sunrise photograph taken from our school parking lot, Miss Cappella led the students in the creation of their paintings.

“It was amazing to see how everyone used their creativity in deciding what they would use. Some students included the road, while others did not. There were also variations in what types of trees were used. There were students who at first doubted their artistic abilities, but in the end I think everyone was happy with their finished product,” Cappella commented.

The canvas painting will hopefully become an annual spring tradition. Miss Cappella is already working on a design that would be a tribute to the school’s alma mater, which turned 100 in 2021.

Miss Cappella stated, “The club came from very humble beginnings, starting with only three student body members. We ended the 2022 school year with over 31 members; 9 life skills and 22 student body members. We held a successful chocolate chip cookie sale fundraiser in the spring that will allow us to grow as a club. We will also have officer positions next school year, where student body members will have the opportunity to assume leadership roles in planning, organizing and executing activities. Thanks to the support of the school board, administration, faculty, staff and students, the Palmerton Area Senior High School Buddies Club has become a thriving program.”