Eight varsity football players on the Arkansas City High School team participate in Bulldog Buddies, a program for select players who go out to C-4 Elementary School to read to students or do other classroom activities.

The upperclassmen go out to C-4 on home game days and spend about 45 minutes with the elementary kids. Football players participate in the fall, and baseball, softball and track players in the spring season.

C-4 Principal Nancy Haas said the C-4 students really look forward to having the student athletes visit their classrooms.

“These players serve as positive role models for our students,” Haas said. “The younger kids have someone to look for at the football game.”

She said another thing the students really enjoy is playing football with the high school players. Some of the grades have a 2:30 afternoon recess, and the high school guys usually will stay and play with them.

Senior David Haist said he enjoy the Bulldog Buddies program.

“It’s fun. I enjoy it,” he said.

Haist went to first grade teacher Jennifer Wright’s class Friday. The students were learning the difference between asking a question and telling a story, so each student had the opportunity to ask Haist a question.

Students asked him questions like what team he plays on, what position he plays and if he had a game that night. Haist told them he plays running back and linebacker for the ACHS Bulldogs football team. They also asked him what his favorite foods were and if he knew the five senses. He said pepperoni pizza and steak were his favorite foods and, yes, he does know the five senses.

Haist seemed a little embarrassed when asked if he was good at football. He replied, “Yeah.”

First grader Kadyn Rollins said she likes having the Bulldog Buddies come out to her class. She said she likes the football players because, “They play with people so they can get better, if they practice.”

The current Bulldog Buddies are Haist, Kyle Haas, Toby Wright, Eric Swanson, Jason Ramirez, Mitch Hewitt, Tim Cushenbery and Tanner Kingsbury.