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Hannah Mitchell and the sixth-graders she mentors are only a year apart in school.
But that year makes a big difference when it comes to feeling comfortable in the hallways, cafeteria and classrooms.
So Hannah, 13, a seventh-grader, goes out of her way to say "hi" to the younger kids and call them on the phone when she knows they're having a hard time.
She and the 60-or-so other student mentors at Carmichael Middle School in Richland also visit their sixth-graders in class for lessons and activities designed to help them have a good year.
"They get excited to see you," Hannah said.
"It's a big step from elementary to sixth grade. You're kind of helping them out," said fellow mentor Cecilia Woody, 14, who's in the eighth grade.
Their efforts are part of the Ignite peer mentoring program, which is new to the Carmichael this year. Ignite is used in schools across the U.S., including some in the Yakima Valley.
The older Carmichael students were trained to be mentors at the end of last school year. They also get visits from an Ignite worker -- called a coach -- who helps them prepare to teach the younger kids.
The lessons they give the sixth-graders last a half hour and are given about once a month, so they don't take away too much instruction time. Mentors also connect with their kids outside of class.
The school is paying about $10,000 for the program.
Each mentor works with the same group of about five sixth-graders throughout the year.
They visited their groups last week. Hannah handed each of her students a piece of yarn and had them tie an end to each wrist.
"Make sure you leave enough room to untie it," she said, as the sixth-graders listened carefully.
Then Hannah had them pair up and criss-cross their homemade "handcuffs" so they were stuck. The goal was to use teamwork to figure out how to get free.
Hannah didn't just sit back. She and one of the girls in her group, Destiny Albers, 11, looped their "handcuffs," then twisted their arms like pretzels trying to get untangled.
Throughout the room, other mentors did the same thing.
They already knew the secret to getting loose -- it involves the space each student was told to leave at the wrist -- because they practiced at a training session earlier in the week. But working through it with the younger kids was part of the fun.
School leaders said the relationships being built among the students are making a difference. They plan to continue the program next year.
For the sixth-graders, "It's been wonderful. They really look forward to (their time with the mentors)," said teacher Kimberly Pueschner.
It's another way for students to feel connected with the school, and there's been a drop in discipline referrals for sixth-graders, said Principal Tim Praino.
It helps the older kids too, officials said.
"Some of the best learning comes from teaching. It shows them that you've got to practice what you preach," said Jeff Rader, who teaches art at Carmichael and serves as the Ignite adviser.
Mentors said they like being there for the younger students.
"It's fun to talk to sixth-graders. You're there for them," said Mason Hilty, 14, an eighth-grader.
"Just to know you're making a different in somebody's day makes you feel good too," said fellow eighth-grader Clayton Simundson, 13.
There were plenty of good feelings at the school last week.
When the students in Hannah's group had solved the yarn problem, they sat down and talked. Destiny, who'd been "handcuffed" to Hannah, said the activity was challenging but fun.
"I like how (the mentors) help you with problems," she said.
