DAYTON — Sometimes, recess can be a lonely place, and finding a friend while everyone else is having fun and playing games is hard.

Kids at Dayton Consolidated School who are feeling alone can now sit on a “buddy bench” – a bench that signals to other pupils that the child sitting on it needs a buddy.

The bench was installed about a month ago and dedicated to former school guidance counselor Mark Murray, who died last year of cancer.

Fifth-grader Alivia Faulkner said the idea for the bench was inspired by a magazine article she and other students read while they were in third grade. A group of pupils wrote letters to the principal and to the local parent and teachers organization, the Dayton Community Club.

Principal Kimberly Sampietro said the former principal left, and she didn’t know about the idea for a buddy bench when she first took on the position last school year.

The pupils – now all fifth-graders and preparing to go to middle school in September – said as time went by, they began to have doubts that they would see the buddy bench before they were promoted to sixth grade.

“We hoped it would come true so everyone could have a friend,” said Clara Holley.

The Dayton Community Club raised money, a bench was purchased late last fall, and it was installed in the spring.

Student Katie Steeves said she was excited – and a bit shocked – when she finally saw the bench installed on the school playground.

“I thought it was really cool. We waited so long,” she said.

Students say the bench has already been put to use.

Jordan Anderson said she and a friend saw a girl a few years younger than them sitting on the buddy bench recently. Jordan said the girl told them she was sad, so they talked to her and played with her at recess.

Riley Walls said she was glad Murray’s name was on the bench because Murray liked helping people when they needed a friend to talk to.

Edie Harriman agreed. “It’s good to know he’s still here (in spirit),” she said.

School social worker Heather Balfour said students have been taught about the concept behind the bench, and staff will continue to teach future students about it.

“It’s sort of like we’re passing something down,” said Alivia.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].