All posts by Carmen Lawrence-Billé

News

Photo Recap: CPS Athletic Hall of Fame 2023

On Thursday, October 5th, ABC and Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) hosted the CPS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony at TQL Stadium. Fourteen outstanding CPS alumni and coaches were inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 at the remarkable banquet.

Inductees to the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 include:

The Class of 2023 Living Athletes are Gail Ash (Hughes 1986), John Deininger (Central Vocational 1957), BJ Lowery (Hughes 2010), Linwood Marshall (Western Hills 1979), Linda Norwell (Walnut Hills 1973), Mike Raita (Aiken 1976), Ed Shuttlesworth (Woodward 1970) and Kristie Veneman (Bradshaw) (Western Hills 1996).

The Class of 2023 Coaches are Jack “Bear” Campbell (Woodward 1962-1978, Walnut Hills 1979-1985) and Lannis Timmons (Western Hills 1995-2001, Woodward 2003-2013, Oyler 2017-2018).

The Class of 2023 Posthumous Athletes are Lucinda Applebury (Farris) (Aiken 1985), Ralph Crosthwaite (Western Hills 1954), Brian “Bam” Frazier (Woodward 1982) and Don Rosenthal (Hughes 1950).

Check out the complete photo gallery capturing the unforgettable night at TQL Stadium, celebrating the distinguished individuals inducted into the CPS Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

News

Changing of the Guard: A Love Letter from ABC’s Outgoing Director of Advancement

Dear friends, supporters, and Cincinnatians,

At ABC, we put our communities first.

The students, the parents, the families from all across Cincinnati, are always the starting point of our conversations. What do they need from us? How can we reach them? How can we make their lives a little easier, a little better, a little bit more fun?

So it’s only natural that I brought those priming questions home with me, only to realize that my family needed me. My toddler needed more time with mom, and my husband needed help as we relocated to Dallas for his advancing career. And though it broke my heart, I knew that the balance of my time needed to shift away from ABC in favor of my family.

I’m still completely smitten with ABC, its mission, its values, its tremendous staff, the 15,000+ students we impact; so I’m not going far. I’ll be staying on at ABC, working a part-time and remote schedule, continuing to support ABC’s fundraising and marketing efforts so that more and more people learn about this tremendous team and all they do for our Cincinnati community.

It is hard to step away from a position you love so dearly, but it’s made far easier when you admire and believe in your replacement. So I smile as I share that I’m incredibly grateful to be leaving this position in capable and qualified hands. Vanessa Macy, formerly ABC’s Manager of Member and Donor Services, will be stepping into the new Director of Advancement position as of September 18, 2023.

Thank you for giving me the honor to serve this community; it is some of my proudest work, and continuing to support you in a quieter, scaled back capacity is a privilege. 

Those who have interacted with Vanessa in her former role know that she is a reliable go-getter that does not let a problem rest until it is solved. What you may not know is that she spent years running the history museum at the Cincinnati Museum Center, that she is still heavily involved in her Covington neighborhood and recreation council, and that she is a fierce friend who has an awe-inspiring capacity to care. I felt lucky to hire her onto our team about a year ago, and I feel even luckier now to be able to hand my duties to someone so incredibly capable and kind.

I’m confident that Vanessa and this advancement team will continue to grow ABC in leaps and bounds, and I’m glad to stay quite involved in a part time fashion. Together, we’ll continue to put you, our communities, first. Reach out and let us know: what do you need from us? How can we reach you? How can we make life a little easier, a little better, and a little bit more fun?

Truly, madly, and deeply yours,

Carmen Lawrence-Bille
(Now) Senior Manager of Grants and Foundations
Activities Beyond the Classroom

News

ABC Adds Staff for 2023 School Year

As we embark on the 2023-24 school year, Activities Beyond the Classroom is thrilled to introduce our newest team members. We have brought on board several talented individuals to enhance our commitment to serving students across Cincinnati. Join us in extending a warm welcome to these fresh faces on the ABC team!

Program and Office Staff

  • Karen Swedersky is the new Director of Finance at Activities Beyond the Classroom. In her position, Karen will oversee all finances of ABC as well as join ABC’s Leadership Team.

    Prior to joining ABC, Karen served as the Managing Director of Finance at St. Aloysius for five years, where she successfully led the finance, accounting, payroll and banking operations. Most recently, she guided the organization’s accounting team through its merger with Children’s Home to create Best Point. Prior to that role, she spent 14 years as a Business Director at Children’s Hospital and Mercy Health.

  • Vanessa Macy is a familiar face around ABC, and is now the Director of Advancement at Activities Beyond the Classroom. In her new role, she will oversee all advancement and fundraising activities at ABC and will join ABC’s Leadership Team.

  • Colleen Cheek is also a current employee of ABC, and is now the Manager of Special Projects at Activities Beyond the Classroom. This new role at ABC oversees, manages, and assists on special projects related to ABC’s growth and expansion. 

  • Jami Haring is the new Fine Arts Coordinator at ABC. This new role at ABC assists with fine arts programs at Cincinnati Public Schools and beyond. 

Athletic Directors

  • Phillip O’Neal is the new Athletic Director at Oyler School. While Phillip is new to Oyler, he will be very familiar to ABC and CPS. He previously served as the Athletic Director at Western Hills/Dater for five years, preceded by his role as the AD at Riverview East.

  • Chloe Mayfield-Brown is the new Athletic Director at Western Hills and Dater High Schools. She was previously the Assistant Athletic Director at Western Hills and Dater before receiving a promotion due to her hard work and advocacy for CPS students.

  • Derek Williams is the new Athletic Director at Clark Montessori.  Derek comes to ABC after successfully leading the Wilberforce Athletic Department over the  past seven years. During his time at Wilberforce he served as the Athletic Director, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Head Women’s Cross Country Coach and as an adjunct professor in Health and PE.

  • DJ Dowdy is the new Interim Athletic Director at Taft High School. A former student-athlete, Dowdy played college football at the University of Cincinnati, earning a degree in Sport & Fitness Management. Before joining ABC, DJ held the position of Director of Athletics at Purcell Marian for a period of five years. Before stepping down as the athletic director at Purcell Marian, he oversaw the construction of Staubach Stadium, the first home stadium in the school’s history.

  • Janee’ Dunigan is the new Assistant Athletic Director at Western Hills/Dater. Janee’ is a former CPS Athletics Intern and college athletics intern, and she thrives in helping athletic programs and student athletes achieve success.

Resource Coordinators

  • Cyril Martin is the Resource Coordinator at Hartwell School. He will work with ABC and the community to organize and support enrichment activities at Hartwell. Before starting at ABC,  Cyril worked for Communities in Schools and the Southwest Urban League of Ohio, where he developed a passion advocating for underserved individuals.

  • Tywanna Watson is the Resource Coordinator at Kilgour School. She will work with ABC and the community to organize and support enrichment activities at Kilgour.
    Tywanna is a community oriented, results driven, servant leader looking forward to aligning her strengths in ways to improve social, emotional, and academic outcomes for children. She obtained her bachelor’s in Sports Business from Northern Kentucky University. She has an extensive background in resource procurement and alignment as well as process improvement.

  • Michael Teller is the Resource Coordinator at LEAP Academy. In his role, Michael will work with ABC and the community to organize and support enrichment activities at LEAP.
    Prior to joining ABC, Michael spent four years working as a Pastor at The River Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has extensive experience in mobilizing supporters for the good of the community, and looks forward to utilizing these skills at LEAP.
News

CPS & ABC Announce Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023

Fourteen athletes & coaches will be recognized for their accomplishments

Cincinnati, Ohio (September 5, 2023) – Fourteen outstanding Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) alumni and coaches will be inducted into the CPS Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Their accomplishments span a variety of sports including cross country, football, basketball, baseball, tennis and swimming. This year’s Hall of Fame Class includes honorees from 1950 to 2010 and coaches from as recent as 2018. Inductees to the Hall of Fame Class of 2023 include:

The Class of 2023 Living Athletes are Gail Ash (Hughes 1986), John Deininger (Central Vocational 1957), BJ Lowery (Hughes 2010), Linwood Marshall (Western Hills 1979), Linda Norwell (Walnut Hills 1973), Mike Raita (Aiken 1976), Ed Shuttlesworth (Woodward 1970) and Kristie Veneman (Bradshaw) (Western Hills 1996).

The Class of 2023 Coaches are Jack “Bear” Campbell (Woodward 1962-1978, Walnut Hills 1979-1985) and Lannis Timmons (Western Hills 1995-2001, Woodward 2003-2013, Oyler 2017-2018).

The Class of 2023 Posthumous Athletes are Lucinda Applebury (Farris) (Aiken 1985), Ralph Crosthwaite (Western Hills 1954), Brian “Bam” Frazier (Woodward 1982) and Don Rosenthal (Hughes 1950).

“These athletes and coaches have distinguished themselves both on and off the field of play,” Josh Hardin, CPS Athletics Manager, said. “Cincinnati Public Schools has an incredibly rich and historic pedigree with athletics. We are privileged to have an opportunity to invite these model athletes and coaches back to our district and community to recognize their accomplishments.” 

CPS, in partnership with Activities Beyond the Classroom (ABC), will recognize the honorees during an induction ceremony Thursday, October 5, 2023 at TQL Stadium. Local sports broadcasters will emcee the dinner and ceremony, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

CPS Hall of Fame 2022 Inductees and their families

“Extracurricular activities such as athletics provide opportunities to build leadership, teamwork, responsibility and self-discipline,” Sally Grimes, ABC Executive Director, said. “ABC is proud to help honor these outstanding inductees, all of whom are excellent role models for current Cincinnati Public Schools students.”

The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony is open to the public. Tickets are required for entry. Tickets may be purchased for $40 by visiting the website at:
https://abccincy.org/cps-hall-of-fame/

News

Register now for Advocate for Education Day!

All children deserve school systems where they can thrive. That’s why Activities Beyond the Classroom is proud to partner with School Board School, an organization dedicated to the training and education of future Board of Education candidates, to cohost Advocate for Education Day! Registration is open NOW!

At the start of the school year, and as we prepare to vote in this year’s school board election, we’ll bring together elected leaders and community members from across the tri-state to learn how to organize and advocate, make new connections, and take action. Event attendees will learn with and from diverse speakers and facilitators such as keynote speaker US Representative Greg Landsman, district Treasurers Jennifer Wagner (from our very own Cincinnati Public Schools!) and John Espy (who serves our friends in Milford Schools), Ohio State Representative Dani Isaachsohn, Ohio State School Board Member Katie Hofmann, and staff members from advocacy groups like Honesty for Ohio Education and Red Wine & Blue. 

The event will take place Saturday October 7, 2023 from 8:30am-4:45pm, at UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub. This conference is open to everyone who believes our school systems should be designed so that every student is safe, included, reflected in their curriculum and staff, and educated. Better yet, the day long event is FREE! 

Seats are limited so register now at: https://advocateforeducationday.eventbrite.com 

We urge all of our community members to take time now to educate themselves on the candidates and to make a plan to vote. Voting registration is due by October 10 in Hamilton County, and early voting starts on October 11! Voting is easier and more accessible than ever, but still requires some planning if you have family to care for and places to be. We encourage you to visit your county’s website for more information on voting (Hamilton County’s website is found here).

News

KISR Programs Run Throughout the Summer

Foster care can be a very destabilizing and disruptive experience for children of all ages. According to a study conducted by the American Institutes for Research, students in foster care experience higher rates of educational disruptions and lower academic achievement compared to their peers.
Extracurricular programming can help mitigate these challenges by offering adaptable learning platforms that cater to their fluctuating circumstances. A report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation highlights that personalized learning approaches, made possible through programming, can significantly improve academic outcomes for vulnerable youth. Moreover, research published in the
Child Welfare League of America’s journal underscores how interventions can provide stability and continuity in education for students in foster care, positively impacting their overall well-being. By creating opportunities for these students to partake in consistent, engaging programming, we can create targeted solutions that empower these students to overcome adversities and build a brighter educational future.

That’s exactly what Activities Beyond the Classroom does for our students experiencing foster care. As part of a partnership called Kids in School Rule! (KISR!) between Cincinnati Public Schools, Hamilton County JFS, Hamilton County Juvenile Court, and the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, ABC proudly provides afterschool enrichment to the hundreds of students in our city experiencing foster care. We do this in an individualized model that engages each student in activities they are interested in, and ensures that participation in activities can continue even if children move between foster homes.

Across the 2022-2023 school year, ABC engaged over 440 students total through this program alone. We are incredibly proud to contribute to their enrichment, education, and wellbeing! We’re also very proud to share that, for the first time, KISR! services were also extended to students experiencing foster care placed in Northwest Local City School District; a much smaller district, ABC was able to support eleven of that district’s students with ongoing enrichment activities.

We’re also particularly proud that approximately 30 of our KISR! students got to participate in summer camps because of ABC’s involvement. This is especially important and impactful, as so much learning loss occurs during the summer months out of class. But studies have shown that even simple enrichment programs over the summer, including team sports and art classes, decrease the likelihood of learning loss. 

Our work in engaging these students has also demonstrated positive impacts on classroom attendance, academic achievement, attitude/behavioral disruptions, and engagement. “When kids get to do something they care about, whether that thing is horseback riding or basketball or martial arts,” Deputy Director Rachel Stallings commented on the program, “it makes it a lot more likely that they’ll have care for the other parts of their day, like school work and healthy social interactions. It’s hard to give from an empty bucket. What ABC does is work to fill that student up with positive and engaging experiences, so they have more to draw on when they need it.” 

“ABC focuses all our work on students experiencing high need,” shared Director of Advancement Carmen Lawrence-Bille, “but the KISR! program takes that to a whole new level. Foster care can be an incredibly high-stress and destabilizing experience for a young person, even in the best of foster homes. Anything we can do to make life more enjoyable, engaging, and stress-relieving for these kids is not just helpful, it is essential to their development and growth. The KISR! partnership allows us all to go the extra mile to support these kids and give them as many tools as possible to help them succeed.”

Thank you to the many partners that make this program possible! If you are interested in learning more about this program or would like to find a way to support our students in Cincinnati experiencing foster care, reach out today!

News

International Jazz Cooperation Day in Cincinnati

All photos taken by Melissa Kyrlach.

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, the Aronoff Center for the Performing Arts came alive with the soulful melodies of jazz, as the Cincinnati Public Schools International Jazz Festival, presented by Activities Beyond the Classroom (ABC), unfolded its magical celebration of music, friendship, and cultural exchange. Bringing together 110 talented students from Cincinnati Public Schools and eight budding musicians from Barcelona’s Sant Andreu Jazz Band, this year’s festival was a testament to the power of jazz in uniting hearts across continents. These students from Barcelona were accompanied by acclaimed jazz musician and educator, Joan Chamorro.

The festival commenced with a bustling series of workshops and jam sessions led by seasoned jazz musicians. These workshops provided the students with invaluable opportunities to refine their musical talents in a much smaller setting. Under the guidance of these professionals, the young artists delved into the intricacies of jazz improvisation, rhythm, and harmony, discovering new dimensions of their craft. 

As the sun began to set, the anticipation in the air was palpable as the students prepared to take the main stage of the Aronoff Center. Performing for an enraptured audience of approximately 600, the young musicians showcased their incredible skills, leaving the crowd in awe of their passion and dedication to jazz. The evening was a harmonious blend of individual performances and collaborative ensembles, where the universal language of music resonated with every beat.

A Global Artistic Collaboration

The festival not only showcased musical talents but also brought the world of visual art to the spotlight. ABC collaborated with the International Sister Cities Association to curate a soulful visual art installation in the Aronoff Center’s lobby. The exhibit featured remarkable artworks created by students from Cincinnati Public Schools, as well as their peers from China, Japan, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe. Through this creative exchange, the installation celebrated the theme of friendship and artistic cooperation, further enhancing the festival’s message of unity.

A Proclamation of International Jazz Cooperation

The significance of this festival reached new heights when the Mayoral Office of Cincinnati bestowed a proclamation, designating May 6, 2023, as “International Jazz Cooperation Day” in Cincinnati. This declaration served as a testament to the festival’s impact in fostering cultural understanding and international goodwill through the language of jazz. The proclamation was presented by Assistant Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney just as the evening performance began, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.

“I just want to offer my congratulations to [ABC and its partners], along with Dr. Isidor Rudnick, for your extraordinary services, energy and efforts in producing the 3rd Annual ABC/CPS International Jazz Festival,” shared ABC Board President, Dick Friedman. “The community buzz that evening and beyond has been wonderful, including wonderfully supportive comments onstage and offstage from CPS Board Chair, Ben Lindy and Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearny, along with Carolyn Jones, CPS Board member.”

The Cincinnati Public Schools International Jazz Festival 2023 was a true testament to the vision of CPS Fine Arts Director Dr. Isidore Rudnick, as well as an ode to the boundless potential of jazz music and friendship in uniting communities across the globe. Dr. Rudnick’s unwavering dedication to the talented students, coupled with his extensive connections in the jazz world, have transformed this program into an extraordinary event.

Through workshops, performances, and artistic collaborations, the young musicians from Cincinnati and Barcelona exemplified the power of jazz in fostering connections and friendships beyond borders. As the echoes of their melodious performances lingered in the air, they left a mark on the hearts of all who witnessed this extraordinary celebration of harmony and cooperation.

News

ABC’s Heather England is Named RC of the Year By Adopt A Class

Adopt A Class Executive Director, Sonya Fultz, presents Heather England with the award for the Resource Coordinator of the Year

We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on an exceptional individual who has made an incredible impact on the lives of students at Rockdale Academy. Heather England, ABC’s Resource Coordinator placed at Rockdale Academy, has been named Resource Coordinator of the Year by Adopt a Class. This prestigious recognition is not only a testament to Heather’s dedication and hard work but is also a momentous achievement for ABC, as it marks the second consecutive year that one of our Resource Coordinators has received this esteemed honor. Let us take a moment to celebrate Heather’s outstanding accomplishments and the positive influence she has had on her school community.

Heather’s unwavering commitment to the students and staff at Rockdale Elementary School as a resource coordinator has played a pivotal role in creating an inclusive and engaging environment for all. Heather goes above and beyond her job description, always seeking innovative ways to enhance the educational experience for students. “Ms. England is an exemplary Resource Coordinator,” commended Rockdale Academy Principal, Dr. Jaren Finney. “She is an effective communicator… always professional, dependable, and keeps all stakeholders connected while ensuring that tasks get completed with excellence!”

Whether it’s organizing after-school programs, coordinating field trips, or connecting families with vital community resources, Heather’s passion shines through in everything she does. Her tireless efforts have greatly contributed to Rockdale’s mission of creating an inclusive and safe environment as well as maintaining open and honest communication between the school and the community. 

Heather’s impact extends far beyond the walls of Rockdale Elementary School. Her dedication and unwavering commitment have served as a beacon of inspiration for her colleagues and the wider ABC community. She leads by example, demonstrating the immense value of resource coordination and the transformative power it holds in shaping young lives. “Heather has demonstrated an exceptional ability to hit the ground running and quickly establish herself as a valuable asset to the team,” reflected ABC’s Senior Manager of Resource Coordination, James Lacey (Heather’s manager). “Her swift integration into this role and her continued impact as a great leader is truly commendable. We are very proud of Heather’s commitment to this work and to serving her community.”

We believe that Heather and Cheri Jodan’s success in securing this coveted award for ABC two years in a row is a testament to the ABC’s reputation for excellence and dedication to student success. Heather’s achievements highlight the importance of resource coordination and its ability to bridge gaps, provide opportunities, and create a nurturing educational environment.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Heather for her remarkable achievement and commend her for her ongoing dedication to creating a nurturing and inclusive educational environment. Her exemplary work not only benefits Rockdale Elementary School but also sets an example for Resource Coordinators across the city and far beyond.

As we celebrate Heather’s success, we would also like to acknowledge all of our Resource Coordinators’ commitment to excellence and service. With talented individuals like Heather leading the way, we can confidently say that the future holds great promise for the students and communities served by ABC.

We look forward to witnessing Heather’s continued impact and the continued success of our Resource Coordinators in transforming the lives of students, one student at a time.

Adopt A Class Supports Cincinnati

Adopt A Class connects teams of volunteer mentors from local corporate organizations and civic groups with schools in the community. Through their group mentoring program, Adopt A Class exposes students to a breadth of life and career readiness experiences, enabling thousands to engage in enrichment activities they otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience.

Adopt a Class is present in 36 schools across the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky region. With the help of over 160 partner organizations, it has reached 6,750 students in our communities. 

During the 2022-23 school year, Adopt A Class had 198 teams of 1,700 mentors serving over 4,350 students at Cincinnati Public Schools. Their amazing mentorship program reached over 45 classrooms of students across six CPS schools where ABC is the lead agency: Cheviot, Hartwell, Silverton, Woodford, Winton Hills, and of course, Rockdale Academy.

We’re so grateful to partner with this phenomenal organization, and grateful also that they recognize the tremendous value of our Resource Coordinators in high-need schools.

News

Play Ball! ABC Supports Field Opening in Avondale

At ABC, we appreciate the value of providing equitable access to enrichment opportunities for students in Cincinnati. We’ve honored that value by proudly supported the Reds Community Fund in its recent endeavor to refurbish a community field for diamond sports. The result is not just a transformed space for athletic activities, but a symbol of hope and inclusivity for the entire community.

We believe that all students should have access to enrichment opportunities, regardless of their socioeconomic background. “This refreshed field is essential to getting students from diverse communities together, to participate in baseball and softball and tee-ball, and experience all the joy and athleticism that comes with that,” explained ABC Executive Director Sally Grimes. “Pardon the pun, but we’re quite literally levelling the playing field!”

On June 17, 2023, ABC proudly attended the ribbon cutting for the new Cleveland Parker III field at the Avondale Recreation Center. We found ourselves in great company and were joined in celebration of the event by such luminaries as Mayor Aftab Pureval, Congressman Greg Landsman, and Cincinnati Reds COO & President Phil Castellini- and of course, Red’s mascot Mr. Red Legs himself.

The revitalization of the community field for diamond sports holds immense significance for both the Reds Community Fund and ABC. This project goes beyond mere infrastructure improvements; it represents a commitment to empowering youth and fostering community engagement. By providing a safe and accessible space for diamond sports, the field becomes a catalyst for personal growth, team building, and healthy lifestyles. Beyond the immediate benefits of physical activity, diamond sports cultivate important life skills such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. By supporting the Reds Community Fund in this initiative, ABC is actively working to bridge the gap in access to such opportunities and foster a sense of belonging among young individuals in Cincinnati.

As a testament to the collective efforts made by ABC, the Reds Community Fund has graciously commemorated our support on the scoreboard of the refurbished field. This acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration and the positive impact that can be achieved when organizations come together for a common cause.

We were honored to have Executive Director Sally Grimes participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of the field. Sally’s presence represented not only ABC’s commitment to the project, but also our dedication to fostering equitable access to enrichment opportunities beyond traditional educational settings. 

Thanks also to our Vice President of the Board, Charley Frank, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Reds Community Fund and is constantly on the lookout for ways ABC and the Reds Community Fund can collaborate to support the youth of this vibrant city. 

News

Silverton Hosts Color Fun Run

On Saturday, May 20th, the city of Silverton hosted a Color Fun Run at Ralph Ficke Park. During this event, individuals raced throughout a course in Silverton, while spectators attempted to squirt paint and hoist colored powder packets on the runners. Two races were held; a one-mile race for children under the age of 13, and a 5k for adults. Before each race began, each participant was given a white t-shirt, with the knowledge that it will be filled with color by the time they finish their race.

This fundraising event was organized primarily by the staff at Silverton Elementary, with all collected money going toward supporting the needs of the school. ABC’s Resource Coordinator at Silverton, Cheri Jordan, was heavily involved in planning the logistics of the event, and helped check in all registrants on the day of the event.

In addition to the color races, there were several festivities at Ficke Park to entertain the community, including live music, freshly made food, Kona Ice, carnival games, face painting, and more. High Grain Brewing was also on-site, offering refreshments throughout the beautiful spring day.

In the morning, a one-mile race was held for children. After a brief stretch, led by one of the student leaders at Silverton Elementary, children raced through a course in Ficke Park, as parents and community members cheered them on and covered them with color packets.

In the afternoon, a 5k race was held for participants over the age of 13. This course took racers through the city of Silverton, passing by some of the community’s landmarks, including the Elementary School, the firehouse, and Ficke Park. As individuals raced throughout Silverton, they were again splashed with various paints.

ABC is proud to have been a sponsor and supporter for this amazing event! ABC coordinated with Cheri Jordan to provide free giveaway items for registered participants. This included a free ABC drawstring bag, frisbee, pens, and even mini bluetooth speakers. ABC also provided free t-shirts to all volunteers and staff who worked the event.