— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Billie Shelton South Hamilton Elementary School third graders Riah Van De Pol and Grace Nobling share a joke to entertain at the pen pal party. After a year of corresponding, the students had a chance to meet their RSVP pen pals at the gathering held Wednesday afternoon in Jewell. Forty-five students were paired with the 45 volunteers.

JEWELL – Volunteer RSVP pen pals for third graders at South Hamilton were guests of honor at an end-of-the-year party Wednesday afternoon.

The pen pal pairs had a chance to get acquainted face-to-face, as they met for the first time after corresponding regularly this school year.

Each third grader made a card for their pen pal on Wednesday, and each volunteer received a small gift. After refreshments were served, the youngsters entertained by telling riddles such as “What did the pencil sharpener say to the pencil?” “Just stop hanging around here and get to the point!”

The pen pal program is coordinated at area schools by RSVP. At South Hamilton this year, there were 45 RSVP volunteers writing to 45 students.