Our Lady of Perpetual Help School second-graders in Downey ended the school year celebrating with their pen pals --- fellow second grade students at St. Columbkille School in Los Angeles.

They played a special game together, giving only simple clues about themselves, with the object being to figure out each other's pen pal. But the game didn't last long because of the detailed letters students had exchanged throughout the academic year.

In addition, students made two quilts, one for each school, displaying side by side the brightly painted handprints of pen pal pairs. The quilts will be on display at both schools as a reminder of how easily friends can be made, whether they live close by or far away.

The pen pal program and celebration was the brainchild of second grade teachers Miss Kraivanger of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and Miss Croley of St. Columbkille School.