Nine-year-old Steven Weaver sat patiently next to a table stacked with puzzles, games, art supplies and Furbies. His mentor and college friend, Jen Wherley (sophomore-biology), waited with him. On most days, they play tag.

"Today we are waiting for my name to be called," Steven said.

Yesterday, children between the ages of 5 and 12 packed the north gym at State College High School for the annual Second Mile Carnival. They played football, golf or did arts and crafts in the company of their college friends, but the most anticipated event was the raffling of prizes.

Weaver, along with several others, cared about nothing more than the raffle.

"It's a fun event because we get to give prizes," said Kim Plummer, assistant director of programs. "Kids know they get to leave with nice toys."

The two-hour event is one of many programs run by the Second Mile Organization.

Through Second Mile, a program called College Friends pairs elementary school children with college students. Children are recommended by their teachers or counselors for the program and then are matched up with college friends. The college students attend various events with the children and also serve as mentors.

"They talk to them about goal-setting, school and things at home," Plummer said.

Kate Johnston (senior-human development and family studies) has been with the program for a year and she is also an intern with Second Mile. Most students in the program are paired with an elementary-aged child. Some, such as Johnston, work with several children.

"I like it because I love the kids," Johnston said. "It gets crazy, but it is a lot of fun."

Several other organizations also helped with the carnival. Theta Alpha Pi and Theta Kappa Pi set up face painting, balloon stomping and throwing games.

Ann Sheils (sophomore-animal science) is a member of Theta Alpha Pi, which participates in the event annually. "We are a service sorority, and we do a lot of service work. It's fun for us," Sheils said.