Photo gallery: Buddy benches part of a quest to build friendships

A dedicated group of high school welding and construction trades students from the Jordan School District are using skills they learned in the classroom to help make it easier for younger kids to make friends at school.

The high schoolers designed and constructed buddy benches for 12 elementary schools in the district. The benches will be installed on school playgrounds as a place for children to sit when they feel lonely or need a friend.

On Wednesday, a group of the students unveiled one of the “Buddy Benches” during a surprise schoolwide assembly at Monte Vista Elementary School in South Jordan.

The older students, some in teacher education courses, also presented a message to the elementary-age children about the importance of fostering friendships and making everyone feel included at school.

Deseret News photojournalist Scott G Winterton captured the moments as the students shared in the surprise.