Students in this year's Kid Connections program create origami pieces called "yako dako," which are miniature kites that look like people. In the background is Midori Bridge San, an executive secretary and interpreter at Setex in St. Marys, who volunteers each year to teach children the Japanese language and culture. Kid Connections is a 4-week summer workshop sponsored by the Mercer County Educational Service Center (MCESC). Approximately 100 children from local school districts participated this year, according to director Beth Smalley.