By Stephen Smoot
“We couldn’t have done this without our partners,” shared Brooke Alt as she praised the community for the success of the inaugural Pendleton County Energy Express pilot program.
Pioneered in Mineral County nearly 30 years ago, Energy Express had a two-part mission. It exists to ensure that children who need it get sufficient nutrition during the summer months. Also, it works to “prevent the summer slide” in elementary-age academic skills. Classes start in mid-June and run through July.
Unlike any of the other programs operating across the state, Pendleton County enjoyed a partnership with Experience Learning. That organization took the students on educational field trips every Friday to areas such as Spruce Knob to learn more.
Alt brought to the meeting a group of instructors and other volunteers who took their passion and talents to Franklin Elementary School this summer for Energy Express. In the front of the room sat a pile of art projects completed by students of different grades for attendees to examine.
Hannah Bennett led a class of third and fourth graders. Although not going into education, she shared how much she enjoyed seeing the students “learning how to read better or spell more strongly.” She told the board, “I love this program because I am helping them with the summer slide.”
Sierra Braham, who is planning to study elementary education, led first and second graders. She enjoyed seeing the children “use their imagination to do different tasks.” Baylie Curry, also planning to teach in elementary school in her future, said, “My kids really love art and drama.” She added that their “reading and spelling skills have progressed so much.”
After the instructors shared their stories, Alt discussed the cascade of volunteer help from the community. Members of the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department brought an engine to talk about firefighting and emergency medical services. Darren Kimble came from Brandywine Fox’s to show the kids how to make a pizza — then all got to eat their tasty projects.
Pendleton Penny, the county schools service dog, even paid a visit to engage the kids.
Alt talked about how the community came together to help with their emphasis on “found art” projects. She said, “A lot of found art came into the office. I think Robin Kile cleaned out her craft closet.”
“We’ve been really blessed with our community going along with any crazy idea we have,” said Alt, smiling.
Kids and volunteers also lent a helping hand as they learned the value of helping out. They cleaned up trash, pulled weeds, and even put a new sand pit in at FES.
Burke and Herbert Bank sponsored an open house that featured a spaghetti dinner. About 80 came to enjoy the meal and learn more about what the kids had been doing in the first half of summer.
Alt shared that “we started with 40, had 32 to 34 enrolled, and 20 to 30 there any given day.”
