SummerFest – Day 2

Saturday was even more packed than the first day here at ImpACT Summerfest. How so, you ask? Many of the Franklin, Garfield, and Ruby Bridges elementary students who came on Friday rejoined us, grinning wide and amped up for a second day of non-stop, educational and extracurricular fun. The day started with a brainstorming session within each team to create their very own team cheer; from the “hungry” Princeton Tigers to the stickin’-to- it Georgetown Hoyas to the roaring and clawing Golden Bears, each team got to display some serious teamwork and team spirit by demonstrating their sonorous cheer as Principal Tony entered. After that it was off for yet another few mind-boggling hours of academic exploratory classes in which the students constructed, concocted, dissected, baked, drew, played, imagined…and envisioned their own futures and potential careers before them.

Large group time hit off with a session of magic tricks led by our resident magician, Teacher Nathan, who wowed the students with his rather “colorful” magic book trick and admonition to “Stick To It!”, even as the secrets to his magic tricks remained perplexing to many of us. Teacher Josh continued where he left off with the “Stick To It!” message by teaching the students how sticking out a life situation requires having vision for our lives, and that people close to us can often help develop this vision. In order to illustrate this concept, student volunteers and their Team Leads were given such hard tasks like recreating an unclear image with Playdough and reaching an object with a blindfold on. Nonetheless, the students managed to persevere through the challenges of “blurry” vision with the aid of their faithful Team Leads and a wildly-supportive crowd. The day wrapped up as the students worked on their “vision plates”, in which each student had imprinted their handprint on a plate with yellow paint, and asked their leads, teachers, and helpers to impress one finger upon their own hand imprint’s fingers. We hope this activity demonstrated how the students have many individuals who are rooting for them and their futures! It was truly an impacting day for all the kids and ImpACT volunteers, and we are gearing up for Day 3 of SummerFest!