Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Student Launches Buddy Book Reading Program for Primary Students

   
AMANDA, Ohio (Nov. 6, 2026) – Samantha Buckley, a junior FFA member at Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools, has launched a Book Buddy Program to support young students in the district with their literary goals through mentorship from high school FFA students. The program was inspired after Buckley attended the Washington Leadership Conference, a premier five-day leadership and civic engagement program hosted annually in Washington, D.C. by the National FFA Organization for high school student members.
 
“We’re extremely proud of Samatha for bringing what she learned during the conference back to our district. The Buddy Book Reading Program embodies the three key pillars of the A-C mission: to help our students prioritize meaningful learning, belonging through relationships and excellence in character and success,” said Dr. Timothy Edwards, superintendent of Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools. “The program also aligns with our core value that student success is a shared responsibility. This is a great opportunity for high school students to serve our younger Aces as mentors.”
 
During the Washington Leadership Conference, students engage in national landmark tours, meet with state congressional representatives on Capitol Hill, and discuss agricultural legislation. In addition, attendees create and implement a capstone project, which is a personalized Living to Serve Plan, to implement a community service project in their home communities. The cost of attendance is covered through A-C FFA’s Memorial Award, given in honor of the memories of Rusty Bowers and Becky Strickler, former A-C FFA students. A-C selected two students to attend after interviews with A-C FFA Alumni members who made candidate recommendations. Buckley also completed an application through the National FFA Organization and received a $500 grant to purchase supplies for the program’s mentoring sessions. Supplies included magnetic letters, whiteboards, flashcards, and stickers for encouragement.
 
“I remember learning in my history class that literacy rates have been falling in the U.S. over the past few decades, and I found this very concerning because of how important basic literacy skills are in everyday life,” said Buckley. “I am very passionate about my community because I have been given so many opportunities, so this is my way of giving back. Education has always been a top priority and value of mine, and I felt the need to share this with the younger students in my school.”
 
Buckley took the initiative of regularly meeting with A-C primary principal, Michelle Fraley, to discuss the program’s logistics, harnessing the lessons she learned during the Washington Leadership Conference. Buckley worked closely with Mrs. Fraley and her FFA advisors, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Eastep, and Mr. Bennett, to map out a plan. The FFA student mentors receive a list of primary students who are eligible for the program to work with on a regular basis. After their school day ends, student mentors visit the primary school before the end of their day, which allows for approximately 30 minutes of work together. While the program currently enlists student mentors who are current A-C FFA Chapter members, Buckley hopes that the program will expand to be available to all high school students in the near future.
 
“Overall, the most rewarding part of this program has been watching kids’ confidence in themselves and their abilities grow in the short time I work with them,” said Buckley.
 
For more information about Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools, visit www.amanda.k12.oh.us or follow the district on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Amanda.Clearcreek.Schools.