Martin Elementary School second-grader Leah Hoover works on a letter to Santa Claus Wednesday at Parkersburg South High School. Students from both schools have been pen pals since August and this week got together to celebrate the holidays. (Photo by Michael Erb)

PARKERSBURG — Pen pals from Martin Elementary School and Parkersburg South High School got together Wednesday to enjoy cookies, conversation and to write letters to Santa Claus.

Martin second-graders and seniors in South’s Advanced Composition 3 class have been sending cards and letters to one another since August. The annual pen pal program teaches the students writing and composition as well as giving them someone to correspond with each month.

“They look forward to the mail coming every month,” said Martin Elementary second-grade teacher Sherry Morris. They learn the basics of how to do a friendly card or friendly letter, how to fold it, what to put inside it.”

Morris said in an age of social media and texting, taking the time to write a letter to someone is an altogether different but important experience.

“It is a lost art,” she said.

Parkersburg South High School senior Taylor Cutlip looks at a letter to Santa held up by a second grader from Martin Elementary School. Students from both schools gathered Wednesday at South to meet one another, decorate cookies and write letters as part of their annual pen pal program. (Photo by Michael Erb)

Cheryl Olcott said this was the fourth year for the pen pal program. This year, Advanced Composition 3 is a dual credit class with West Virginia University at Parkersburg, and due to scheduling issues only has four seniors enrolled.

Olcott said everyone enjoys the opportunity to get together with their pen pals.

“My Advanced Comp 3 students feel it is a gift they are given,” Olcott said. “I think they get more excited than the little kids.”

In addition to meeting and writing letters, the seniors helped their pen pals decorate cookies and they had a visit from St. Nicholas himself.

Senior Cierrah Longwell said it was a great experience.

Martin Elementary School second-grader Chevelle Heckert, left, writes a letter to Santa Wednesday with help from her pen pal, Parkersburg South High School senior Lauren Somerville. (Photo by Michael Erb)

“It is really exciting and fun,” she said. “It is really good for the kids because they don’t always get this kind of personal attention at home.”

Senior Laken Lawrentz said it helped her remember how exciting this time of year can be.

“You don’t always realize how awesome little kids are when you’re in high school,” she said. “You forget the excitement elementary school kids bring.”

Second-grader Chevelle Heckert said her favorite part was making cookies with her pen pals.

In addition to toys and a puppy, Heckert said this year she was asking Santa something extra special.

“A real tiger,” she said. “And I’m going to give it to my teacher so she can keep it at the school and our class can come visit it.”

Morris said the classes will get together again at Martin Elementary in the spring to have a pizza party and enjoy recess together.

Michael Erb can be reached at merb@newsandsentinel.com.