Blade’s Buddy Box Creates a Pen Pal Pathway
By Leslie Traba
4-minute read
The seed for the idea was planted by Durham Academy’s youngest students. Each time Blade made an introductory appearance this fall, they asked a simple, heartfelt question: “Why doesn’t Blade talk?” Students were so excited to have a new mascot, whom they met with enthusiastic energy and school spirit, but Blade’s silence left them wanting more. They were curious to know more about their new fuzzy friend.
So rather than leave these young, inquisitive minds hanging, chock-full of questions, Blade created a “Buddy Box” — a real-life mailbox — so students could communicate with their mascot. The solution allows Blade to speak directly to DA’s little Cavaliers, because sometimes the most meaningful conversations don’t happen out loud.
Nestled inside the Preschool/Lower School Library, Blade’s Buddy Box has quickly become one of the most beloved stops on campus. Students carefully craft artwork and letters for Blade — filled with questions, stories, drawings or often just “I love you” messages. In spite of the fine motor challenges of writing with paws, and as if by magic, Blade writes back.
“This is also great because we just added grade-level mailboxes to the window boxes of the treehouse this year,” Preschool/Lower School Librarian Dr. Michelle Rosen said in an email shortly before its debut. “Each student has a folder within the box and students frequently come to ‘check their mail.’ So, it fits right in.”
The Buddy Box made its debut in December at a Preschool assembly. Students could draft their own messages from scratch, or choose from 10 different coloring sheets with versions of Blade, Puppy Blade and the DA Torch. From the very first day, students’ excitement was palpable — Sloan Nuernberger’s kindergartners sent 22 coloring sheets and messages.
“I’ve really loved watching how excited my students have been about writing to Blade. They were so eager to send Blade notes that at the beginning, they just started drawing or scribbling anything,” Nuernberger said. “That led to good conversations about if we are going to send a note to someone, we should do our best work. Now, they are challenging each other to write a sentence to Blade rather than just a picture. And they get so excited when Blade writes back. I love the project and hope it continues.”
Lower Schoolers were introduced to Blade’s Buddy Box during an assembly the week DA returned from winter break. To date, Preschool and Lower School students have sent Blade more than 130 letters, drawings and crafts.
We spent some time this week chatting with Jessica Soler’s first grade Fireflies — one of several classes with prolific Blade’s Buddy Box pen pals — to get their take on the experience.
“It’s really fun and I think the way that Blade can interact with us is just super fun. I’ve wanted to know mostly stuff about Blade’s family. … It feels like Blade is focused on me, focused on answering my questions. It feels really nice.”
Lily
“It feels really good to get a letter because it’s just fun to have a pen pal and it’s fun to learn new things about your new mascot.”
Adeline
“It’s pretty nice because I really like when Blade writes me a letter. I want Blade to feel happy about the letter. The first question I asked was, ‘What do you like to eat?’”
Mara
“I wrote, ‘Have a great day!’ It feels good that Blade sends the letter back.”
Mikaila
“I really like that it’s kind of like real mail, but it only mails to Blade. I like that Blade sends back because I think it’s really cool.”
Raegan
“When I get a letter, I feel happy to read it. I feel like it’s an answer from the questions and before I was waiting for an answer. I wanted someone to send those back with my letters.”
Clara
“It feels really cool because then it’s a dog writing back to you with the paw print. It just feels really cool because I never knew that dogs could write. … I love dogs, so I personally think Blade’s a really good mascot.”
Eriana
On custom-designed stationery, complete with a paw print signature, Blade’s replies are thoughtful, encouraging and often delightfully surprising. In answering students’ questions — about favorite activities, foods, colors (hint: DA green is at the top of the list) and more — Blade forms connections with fellow Cavs and builds a bit of mascot lore, one letter at a time.
For DA’s youngest students, it’s a bit like writing letters to Santa and getting a response. For students in older grades, Blade is like an extra friend, and they often share accomplishments, interests or milestones, like birthdays. The story of Blade’s Buddy Box has even made it home to parents.
“Ellington was ELATED when she got a response from Blade. The first words out of her mouth when she got in the car at pickup that day were, ‘MOM! Blade wrote BACK!,’” said Lauren Powell, a Lower and Middle School parent. “I had to ask, ‘Who wrote back?’ And she said ‘BLADE!!!!’ holding up the notecard with a huge grin on her face. In her note, she had shared about her love of jump rope and being on the Bouncing Bulldogs team. Blade wrote back with heartfelt support and empathy. She couldn’t believe Blade had not only heard of the Bouncing Bulldogs but was also a fan. Who knew?! The paw print was an adorable touch. It was such a small gesture, but when you are 9 years old, those little things go a long way.”
This solution to a simple question has become a meaningful bridge between imagination and literacy, between curiosity and connection. Blade’s Buddy Box invites students to ask questions, to express themselves, to be heard and to be answered.
In the photo gallery below is merely a sampling of those letters. Take in the wonder, the humor and the heart behind every one.