Checklist of fall activities:
- Attend a football game.
- Watch the leaves change.
- And volunteer for the local school fall festival!
Members of the Appalachian Educators Club (App Ed) from Appalachian State University's Reich College of Education traveled to Parkway School in Watauga County on Friday, September 22, 2023, to engage with local students in a fun way.
Almost 25 App Ed members were among dozens of volunteers who helped make the school's Fall Festival a fun and safe community event for the students of Parkway School and their families.
“Creating a night full of fun for the Parkway students, families, and community was an indescribable feeling,” noted App Ed President Matthew Rhodes. “Being able to watch these kids come together to spend time with one another makes me so joyful. Our members and I had an absolute blast supporting this beautiful school with such an amazing event!”
Rhodes is an elementary education major from Mooresville, North Carolina.
“I loved being able to be part of this experience, especially because I was able to be a part of something that brought so many people a night of fun,” said Caitlin Curatolo, an elementary education major from Raleigh, North Carolina.
“I also was so excited to work with fellow members of App Ed to make the night the best it could be,” she added.
This is the second year in a row the students have assisted in leading carnival games and more at the festival.
“I always enjoy being able to volunteer at Parkway,” exclaimed Maria Uribe, an elementary education major from Lawndale, North Carolina. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and just getting to see the joy in these kids’ faces while they were playing the carnival games is a feeling like no other.”
Parkway School Fall Festival Chair, Reci Smith, noted how grateful everyone was for the App State volunteers. “We witnessed heartwarming interactions between our Parkway School youth and the App State students -- the children had a blast connecting with their older mentors and created wonderful memories, which cemented bonds between App State and the community.”
More than 650 students in kindergarten through eighth grades attend Parkway School. Parkway also houses a Watauga County Pre-K classroom, in partnership with Lucy Brock Collaborative.
The event raised more than $10,000 for Parkway’s PTO, all of which goes directly back into the classrooms.
Follow App Ed for more photos!
App Ed volunteers at Parkway Fall Festival
