POST FALLS — Seltice Elementary School kindergartner Michael Hirst cuddled up with a blanket as his reading buddy, New Vision Alternative High School freshman Alexis Wood, read from "Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes."

The two shared a sweet exchange and cracked each other up as Michael pointed to the pages and enjoyed the company of his high school mentor.

“We come every Thursday, and they have their reading buddies,” New Vision social studies and English language arts teacher Toni Norton said Thursday. "Some days they color, some days they play games. Days like today, they read to each other."

The teens sat at little tables or cross-legged on the floor with their reading buddies, sometimes handing their younger counterparts the books to read aloud. Gleeful high-fives and good vibes were shared all around.

“All of the teenage stereotypes go out the window when they’re in here, and honestly, it makes my mom heart happy,” Norton said. “I’m just so proud of them, and they’re not faking it. They’re absolutely genuine with these kiddos."

Once a week, students from New Vision give back to their community in a variety of ways during community service hour. New Vision emphasizes team-building skills that enable its students to become engaged with their families and local communities.

"We believe that connections between people and group action are essential for a better world," Principal Dawn Mackesy states in her principal's message on the school's website, nvhs.pfsd.com.

Students are living that school ethos every community service day.

Mackenzie Holder, sophomore, has been a reading buddy since the start of the school year. She said little kids can be overwhelmed when reading in class, so she enjoys the opportunity to help them with their literacy skills in a small group setting.

“I absolutely love it,” she said. "Seeing these little kids is like my therapy."

She said her classmates also really appreciate interacting with the kindergartners.

"It’s something that we all look forward to," she said. "On the weeks where it gets canceled or something, we’re all very disappointed."

Students also volunteer at the Post Falls Library, and they work with little ones who go to the Post Falls Developmental Preschool at Frederick Post Learning Center, which is housed in the same building as the high school. The preschoolers erupt in pure joy when their high school buddies visit.

"We love you guys,” Ryder Dulay, 5, said to them as they entered the room Thursday afternoon. "We love you."

The high schoolers play games with the preschoolers, help with activities and assist with an obstacle course that goes up in a hallway a couple times a month.

“This is the highlight of my day," sophomore Stephanie Bartell said. "These kids are fun."

Stephanie recently transferred to New Vision, where she instantly felt connected serving as a mentor to the preschoolers.

“I feel like it’s nice for them to have older peers to come and help them out,” she said.

Jeffrey Dacey, sophomore, has been working with the preschoolers for about six weeks.

“I love how it’s interactive,” he said. “You put your own self out there and it’s better for the community. I know it makes them happy when we’re here."

Senior Kyra Latham has participated in the community service program since last year.

"It makes me feel happy because I feel like I get to to help the kids, and I like helping people,” she said.

Adrienne Madison, one of three special education preschool teachers at Frederick Post, said it's fabulous to have the high schoolers lend a hand.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students to interact socially with children who are a little bit older,” she said. “The older kids are so sweet and kind and encouraging to our preschoolers. As you see, they love it. They just light up when the high schoolers come in. They enjoy their one-on-one time with these high school kids so much."

Norton said she could not be prouder of these students for their dedication to their community service, as well as to the younger students with whom they've bonded.

“These students need a lot of love, but this is their opportunity to give a lot of love," Norton said. "That’s a valuable lesson as well."