OSU program joins students and children in rewarding friendships that make a real difference

After meeting weekly to cook, read and play for the past three years, Taylor Manning and Sytiva McMillen will miss each other when Manning graduates this month and leaves for Anchorage, Alaska.

Manning, 22, is a senior merchandising management major at Oregon State University. Sytiva, 10, is just finishing fourth grade at Wilson Elementary School.

“We have a really good friendship. We’ve been together since she was 7,” said Manning, who finds their time together “relaxing, fun and inspiring.”

Sytiva especially enjoys it when they go swimming at Osborn Aquatic Center.

“I don’t have to sit at home all day,” she said.

Sytiva and Manning plan to keep in touch by e-mail and phone, but say they’ll miss each other next year.

The two are among about 100 pairs in OSU’s Big Buddy Little Buddy program, which matches college students with local children 4-13 years old.

Big and little buddies meet every week, and the entire program gets together monthly for parties, trips to the bowling alley or skating rink and other special activities.

On Sunday, the group celebrated the end of the school year with Field Day at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house.

Along with Manning, Joel Geelan co-directs the program. Geelan, a sophomore majoring in construction engineering management, and his brother, OSU senior Aron, are partnered with the Blankenship boys.

Joel Geelan’s little buddy is Dan Blankenship, 9, while Aron’s is Jared Blankenship.

Jared is actually 11, but he prefers to think of himself as perpetually 9.

“It’s the perfect age for me. I want to be a kid forever,” Jared said.

Willow Schneider, 10, and her brother, 7-year-old Logan, waited for more than a year to get into the Big Buddy Little Buddy program.

At Sunday’s party, Logan and a pal ambushed Willow with water guns, and all three ended up completely soaked.

Willow’s buddy is Chaygong Mayner, 24. They both got faux tattoos painted on their cheeks at the barbeque. Willow chose the Chinese character for star, and Mayner selected the symbol for happiness.

They’ve been buddies since last fall. A favorite memory is when Mayner threw a slumber party for Willow and a friend about a month ago.

They painted their nails, had snacks, watched movies and enjoyed some quality girl time.

Logan is partnered with Susie Beetem, a sophomore majoring in housing studies.

Logan likes it when he and his big buddy play with Legos and go to Halloween and Christmas parties.

“I like being able to spend time with kids,” Beetem said.

There is no cost for families to join the program, which is covered by OSU student fees.

Big Buddies Little Buddies accepts members throughout the year. There is a waiting list for boys seeking male big buddies, and Manning encouraged OSU students interested in the program to apply.

Logan and Willow are homeschooled, so their mom, Charlotte Schneider, appreciates the chance Big Buddies Little Buddies gives her kids to be independent and meet new people.

“It’s great for kids to have interactions with college students, and it’s so nice that they make time for the kids,” Charlotte said.

Mary Ann Albright covers higher education. She can be reached at maryann.albright@lee.net or 758-9518.

At a glance

For more information about Oregon State University’s Big Buddy Little Buddy program, call 737-6369 or send an e-mail to osubuddies@oregonstate.edu.