“Education is what? Education is RED HOT!” shouted Freddie Woolfork, Gifford Youth Achievement Center director of public relations and facilities operation, pumping up the crowd of children gathered for the 19th annual GYAC Back to School Bash last Saturday morning.
With the Aug. 14 back to school date fast approaching, more than 900 pre-kindergarten to 12th-graders received backpacks filled with much-needed school supplies, thanks to donations from businesses, churches and individual donors.
GYAC held a month-long school supply drive to help alleviate some of the burdens on parents struggling to make ends meet. For some, just getting food on the table is challenge enough; a school supply list can be overwhelming. Backpacks were filled with paper, pens, pencils, rulers, folders, crayons, binders, construction paper and calculators. For high school seniors, a drawing was held for gift cards to help cover the costs of special materials needed at the secondary level.
Additionally, nonprofit agencies dispensed information, bicycle helmets, Safe Kids literature and personal items, while the Gifford Youth Orchestra performed.
Isabella Cruz, an incoming 5th-grader at Dodgertown Elementary School and GYAC participant, eagerly picked out her own backpack and one for her sister, sharing, “We come every year. I’m excited to get ready for school.”
Community leaders were on hand to encourage youngsters to take advantage of the endless possibilities offered through education. County Commissioner Joe Flescher chatted with students about their favorite subjects: math, science, history and, of course, lunch.
“Today we’re going to give you tools for the nourishment of your mind; the tools that will allow you to go through school in the right way. You’ll get a nice backpack filled with stuff that will let you be a wiser, smarter individual,” he said. “The people in the community care about you. I want you to return the favor by doing well in school. My hair is getting white, and that means there’s going to come a time when we are dependent upon you, the youth of our future, to step up to the plate and take charge.”
Margaret Ingram is a familiar face around the GYAC campus, working with children in her Science Institute after having taught for 35 years in the school district. The beloved and respected educator shared a few pearls of wisdom with both parents and students, proffering that both need to be engaged for an effective learning experience to occur.
“For the children to have a positive and successful school year they need to follow these ABC’s – Attitude, Behavior and Conduct.” To the parents, Ingram challenged, “Apply Basic Common Sense (ABC’s). Get involved in your children’s life and school. Send them to school with a good attitude. Become involved in the school; check their homework, check to see if they are reading and most of all talk to them.”
On behalf of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Eric Flowers wished everyone a happy and safe school year, adding, “Education is everything. It’s so important that you study and pay attention because it will get you places. I wouldn’t be standing here today if it weren’t for education. You can grow up and be whatever you want to be and education is the key to doing that.”
“This is so impressive; that the community will rally around to help everyone,” said School Superintendent Mark Rendell. “We’re not relying on the government to do this. This is something coming from inside our own community. We know as a school district that not all of our kids have the tools, materials and supplies they need when they come to school so this is a way to help all of our children have what they need when they come to school.”
Following the GYAC Bash, children splashed about in the Gifford Aquatics Center pool at the Feed the Lambs Splash, before heading to Gifford Park for a Calvary Chapel picnic Mash.