Mount Vernon dedicates Buddy Bench to memory of 9-year-old twins

MOUNT VERNON - School probably isn't the usual choice of where students, teachers, parents and administrators would like to be on a Sunday. But the dedication of a special place for those looking for a friend in honor of two twins killed in a crash last year is anything but usual.

Those close to Clayton and Colton Novak gathered at the playground at Washington Elementary School for the presentation of the 'Novak Memorial Buddy Bench.”

The bench is an idea which has increased in popularity at Eastern Iowa schools in recent years. Schools select a bench, either old or new, to be the place for anyone feeling alone, left out or bullied can go. Those who want to help can approach and ask the person on the bench about what's wrong.

Sunday's ceremony dedicated the Buddy Bench to the memory of Clayton and Colton Novak, 9-year-old twins - and Washington students - who died in an ATV crash near Palisades-Kepler State Park last year. Those who knew the boys said they would have been among the first to help classmates who sat on the bench.

'They would play with anyone. They loved to be outdoors,” said Principal Kate Jones. 'They loved to play soccer, they loved to play football and, in general, recess was their favorite thing. I think what we wanted to do was incorporate something into our playground.”

Jones said some of her students offered the coins from their piggy banks, while bakes sales and donations from local businesses also contributed to pay for the bench.