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on Author: hart.783
on Submit your letters here!
on Submit your digital letters here if part of the Miller or Van Schaik’s class at West Mound for 2022-23.
Fall 2022 Orientation
on How to Submit Your Letters
on In-Person Journals:
- 1 journal per elementary/middle school buddy
- Located in Geology Library in Orton Hall – behind front desk
- Organized by school & teacher/class
- Ask desk worker for the journals you need
- Journals available (most likely) Thursday afternoons, due the following Thursday afternoon
Journal Procedures:
- Write your journal entry with the weekly prompt following a typical letter format, starting on a new page, & customizing the letter as you wish.
- Return letter to Geology Library by the deadline
- Read your pen pal’s response during your next writing week (schedule coming shortly) and repeat the process!
Email penpalsosu@gmail.com with any questions BEFORE the letter deadline
Executive Board
on C0 – President
Anya Parsons
Major: Art & Technology
Grade: Senior
Anya’s favorite thing about being in PenPALS is seeing the impact it has on both the members and the students. She says it’s always amazing to see how much positivity the org has brought to people.
Co – President
Caitlin Creach
Major: International Relations
Grade: Junior
Caitlin’s favorite thing about being in PenPALS is connecting communities and forming relationships with students!
Marketing Director & Social Media Chair
Evelyn Kretzer
Major: Strategic Communication
Grade: Senior
Evelyn’s favorite thing about PenPALS is providing a mentor/friend to kids who might otherwise not have one. She also loves all the cute messages and drawings the kids share with us.
Event Director
Alivia Upshire
Major: Psychology & History
Grade: Freshman
Alivia’s favorite thing about being in PenPALS is the connection you get to make with the kids throughout the year. The letters they send are also a plus!
Vice Event Director
Simone Sears
Major: Psychology
Grade: Sophomore
Simone’s favorite aspects about PenPALS are being able to be a mentor to our pals, seeing the progress they make throughout the year, and all the cute pictures the kids draw for us.
Seminar Coordinator
Donna Vasseghi
Major: Biology & French
Grade: Junior
Donna’s favorite thing about PenPALS is seeing how as the year progresses the students open up to their pen pal more and really form a lasting bond!
Transportation Executive
Jane Sovinski
Major: Environmental Policy
Grade: Sophomore
Jane’s favorite thing about being in PenPALS is getting to hear funny stories from the kids.
Transportation Executive
Bridget Holahan
Major: Primary Education
Grade: Junior
As a future educator, Bridget is highly passionate about literacy and building connections with kids, which is why she loves PenPALS! Her favorite thing about the organization is having her day made when she reads new letters and getting to be a role model for students.
Treasurer
Grace Dreier
Major: Biological Engineering
Grade: Sophomore
Grace’s favorite thing about being in PenPALS is being able to communicate and mentor the kids.
Communications Director
Bailey Wood
Major: Strategic Communications
Grade: Senior
Bailey’s favorite part of being a peer mentor is sending jokes back and forth with her pen pals each week. She thinks the kids can be hilarious!
Operations Manager
Meranda Coleman
Major: Criminology/CJ Studies & Psychology
Grade: Senior
Meranda’s favorite thing about PenPALS is talking with the kids, creating bonds, and learning new things from them each week. She also loves being a part of the journal committee to read some of the adorable letters!
FAQ
on Frequently Asked Questions for Fall 2022
What is OSU Pen Pals?
PenPALS is a service organization that matches OSU students with 3rd-6th graders in the Columbus City School District to write letters with biweekly throughout the year.
Why should I join OSU Pen Pals?
We get to promote childhood literacy through an exciting pen pal relationship that the children can look forward to and use to practice their reading and writing skills.
- Low time commitment, but big impact!
- Attend seminars where we make care packages, crafts, and more!
- Fun end of year event where you meet your buddy on campus and play games!
What if I forget to write?
- If you do not write for the week, you will receive a strike
- “Half-strikes:” if mentors emailed us a letter — but do your absolute best to get the full journal in on time!!
- If you receive two strikes, you will be removed from our program, and your pen pal will be re-assigned to someone on our Wait List
- As per the Pen PALS agreement, reach out ahead of time if anything comes up – communicate with us & we can find solutions!
When will writing weeks start?
Our first writing week will begin on September 22 and end on Thursday September 28 at 5p.m.
Are there any club dues?
This semester, we will have a $5 due.
Why are we charging dues?
- Helps us to create fun and engaging programming for you all
- Provides us with funding for the EOYE
- Supports us in the purchase of hard copy journals
As an organization, we firmly believe that all students who wish to participate in Pen PALS should be able to participate (regardless of their ability to pay.) If paying dues is going to cause you undue financial stress, please reach out to us at penpalsosu@gmail.com to let us know. We’re also happy to connect you with on and off-campus resources to support you–the ACES food pantry and emergency grants, for example.
Will there be seminars this semester?
Yes! More information will be sent in emails and GroupMe.
Any further questions can be answered via penpalsosu@gmail.com.
Contact Us
on 
Applications are closed, but you can join the waitlist!
on
If you fill out the waitlist application, you will most likely receive a pen pal at some point throughout the year!