At River City Early College, their goal is to not only provide a rigorous academic curriculum, but also to help to develop well-rounded individuals.

To help accomplish this goal, and give back to the community, the school hosted a Bunny Hop Easter Carnival for students from Joseph’s Ladder Thursday.

Jacob’s Ladder is a special needs school that focuses on teaching literacy, math and life skills to individuals with mental disabilities.

Each Joseph’s Ladder student with partnered with a buddy from River City and treated to a morning full of fun activities.

“It is a good feeling for us as people,” River City student Bianna Hamlin said. “It is us giving back to the community and us becoming friends with people we wouldn’t talk to on a normal basis, and learning that there are different types of people you have to interact with.”

The activities included face painting and manicures, snacks, dancing and an Easter egg hunt.

“We encourage the kids here at River City Early College to give back to the community,” River City principal Tammy Burris said. “They are very involved with it and they have been looking forward to it. It does the heart good to see the kids get involved and take their buddy around.”

The goal is that by teaching the students to give back and get involved, they will be better prepared for the future.

“We really want our students to have a service mentality,” guidance counselor Marian Richardson said. “If you can serve others you are developing skills that they are going to use in the work place.”

The students greeted their assigned buddy at the bus and spent the morning participating in the activities along with them.