As they walked with Sidney High School student Katie Staffanson, fourth-grade students were having a great time asking questions about her life as they strolled down the hall at West Side Elementary School.

Those are the type of relationships the Sidney High School Trading Card program provides.

The Trading Card program promotes a substance-free lifestyle and traditionally speaks with Sidney’s fourth-grade class and presents them with trading cards, like baseball cards, of the participants. Danielle Schiff, now a senior in Trading Cards, remembers when she was in fourth grade and the high school students would come to visit her classroom.

“That was really nice, and signing your cards was a lot of fun,” Schiff said. “It was a reason why I joined Trading Cards.”

The Trading Card program students spend time with the fourth-graders at least once a month. Sometimes, they also go to recess with the younger students. On Wednesday, the Trading Card program purchased pizza for the fourth-grade students.

“There also was a day where we went skating,” Schiff said.

Recent subjects have included the effects of tobacco, senior Jessica Minow added.

Both of the seniors are very happy to be involved with the program.

“They really interact with us, too,” Schiff said.

The girls are disappointed with the declining numbers of the program. They feel part of the reason is that active students have many other positive groups where they can be involved.

“We need to get more people to join,” Minow said. The girls added that providing a good message to younger students is fulfilling.

They are hopeful the Trading Cards program continues to enjoy success for many years to come.

“Hopefully, all these fourth-graders will join when they are in high school,” Schiff said.

editor@sidneyherald.com