Junior high students in Santa Maria participated in a national event that encourages friendship and communication called, no one eats alone.
Homeroom classes at El Camino Junior High School planned games and ice breakers to help students meet new people they might not normally hang out with.
Students set up Valentine's decorations and staff ordered heart shaped pizzas and chicken nuggets.
Friday's event was meant to help kids make friends and curb social isolation.
"When you come in during lunch you see a lot of people like they already have their spots taken, they already know who their friends are, and this event is supposed to invite new people to come and sit with you so you can talk to them and get to know them more and just spread positivity," said Melisa Palmerin, 8th Grade Student Body President.
El Camino Junior High School has more than 800 seventh and eighth graders.
