 Reading doesn't have to be done alone. The students at Nevis Elementary have a buddy system to push them along the way. Haiti Clotter tells us how reading can turn into a partnership in this week's Golden Apple. It's time for books, buddies and bonding. The cafeteria at Nevis Elementary was full of students and their reading buddies coming together with books. Volunteers from around the community spent 30 minutes with first graders for the kinship Nevis Reading Buddies program. For the children to know that there's another adult who cares about them and is going to show up week after week and spend some undivided attention. You'll give them some undivided attention. It's phenomenal for the children. The Nevis Reading Buddies has been a staple program for more than five years at Nevis Public School and lets the students get one-on-one practice and undivided attention to read. Kids enjoy the time shared with their reading buddies and have a chance to show off their reading skills. Their buddies also give them a tip to make reading effortless. I like reading a lot at times with my buddy. Why? Because she used to help me with her finger. They tell you to use your finger so you know what word you're on. As a reading buddy, a bond is formed and volunteers get something out of it too. The connection with reading buddies is a connection with kids and I just love those little ones. Maryland Caping has 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren so being a volunteer was a natural thing to do. You are a part of getting them to read in a better way because reading is so important. Students read books provided by teachers or buddies bring reading material. I can learn harder books so I can get better at reading. And I'm learning every time. The program allows students to have more confidence when it comes to reading and excel in the future. We need to be readers in our adult lives and practice is what helps us to make that growth and not only does this help them practice but it gives them a model of what a good reader sounds like. This relationship is positive for the students to continue to read. In Nevis for this week's Golden Apple, Katie Clutter, Lakeland News. 20 volunteers participated in the reading today and in some cases the reading buddies became mentors to the students. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.