Supported by a grant from Alamance Arts, CREATE (Cultivating Rhythm, Expression, Art, Theatre and Engagement) launched its pilot program this spring with weekly sessions hosted on 福利亚洲国产精品鈥檚 campus. Over the course of nine weeks, students in second through fifth grade rotated through three artistic disciplines: theatre arts, dance and visual arts. Each discipline was led by experienced instructors who developed an engaging curriculum designed to encourage creativity, collaboration and self-expression.

Briston Whitt 鈥�23 led theatre arts instruction throughout the semester. Whitt, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in acting from Elon, introduced students to physical expression, improvisation and scene work. By the end of the semester, students could perform short scenes that showcased the skills and confidence they developed throughout the program.

“I absolutely enjoyed working with CREATE as聽a聽drama instructor this spring. My favorite part was watching students step聽further and further聽out of their comfort zones each week and truly begin to see themselves as actors and performers.聽Each week聽they committed to stepping into the imaginary world and聽embodying the courage to try new things no matter how聽new and silly they felt.聽It was also really cool to see how involved the volunteers became throughout the process.聽They聽fully聽committed聽to the activities聽as well and聽modeled the same courage聽and energy聽we were looking for in聽the students,” said Whitt.

“Seeing how immersed everyone became in the experience was such a reminder of the timelessness and magic of theatre,” Whitt said. “It reaches people of every age and has a unique way of bringing us聽all聽together. For the students, it created a space to be creative, build confidence, and step outside the box. For the volunteers and聽myself, it was a reminder of the power of play聽even in seasons of life that can feel聽more serious.”

Kate Gunter, an art teacher at Woodlawn Middle School, led visual arts instruction for the program. Through lessons inspired by artists including Frank Stella, Claude Monet and Minnie Evans, students explored a variety of artistic concepts and mediums. Activities focused on geometry, symmetry and watercolor painting left students with an improved understanding of how they can advance their artistic skillset.

鈥淪tudents loved learning about different artists and how they were inspired to create. These insights encouraged our young artists to discover their own inspirations as they emulated the techniques and styles of established artists,” said Gunther.

Furthermore, the program has been able to provide a mentorship experience for 福利亚洲国产精品 students. With the opportunity to volunteer with one of the disciplines across nine weeks of programming, volunteers fostered connections with the students and worked alongside them at each session.

鈥淚 loved working with the students in CREATE,鈥� said Kennedy Williams, a finance and business analytics major and The Susan scholarship recipient in the Odyssey Program who volunteered with the theatre arts program. 鈥淚t was so rewarding to watch them grow artistically and open up more as the weeks progressed.鈥�

Additionally, several Elon student organizations partnered with CREATE throughout the semester by leading activities connected to their organization鈥檚 mission and artistic focus. Participating groups included Divine Embers, Muses Show Choir, Dance Lab, Alpha Xi Delta, Colonnades Literary and Art Journal, WSOE 89.3 FM, NewWorks and the Yarn Arts Club. Student organizations introduced students to a variety of artistic experiences, from crochet lessons to choreography workshops, and built upon the foundations of the curriculum.

Natalie Dixon 鈥�26, a senior double majoring in dance science and dance

performance and choreography, had the opportunity to lead dance instruction through her involvement with Dance Lab, a student organization focused on integrating dance and STEM disciplines. Through a collaboration with CREATE, Dixon applied her undergraduate research during the session to assist students with understanding different ways they can move.

鈥淚 really enjoyed working with the kids through the CREATE program,鈥� Dixon said. 鈥淭hey were all very enthusiastic and open to learning new things, which made the experience especially rewarding. You could tell that the program created a very positive and encouraging environment for them, and it was great to see everyone engaged and excited to participate.鈥�

The CREATE program reflects the Village Project鈥檚 mission of strengthening connections between Alamance-Burlington families and 福利亚洲国产精品 through collaborative learning experiences. The initiative will continue expanding in the coming academic year through a $5,000 Community Grant from the Alamance Community Foundation, which will support future CREATE programming and continue to broaden access to arts education for local students.

Interested in joining the impact? Help support future Village programming .

Forty-five Elon volunteers registered to support the event as a final farewell to their students. Stationed throughout the space, volunteers led craft activities and distributed materials to families. Along one wall, volunteers oversaw a large selection of free books, generously provided by Scholastic, that students could browse and take home. Across the room, others operated the photo booth station, which featured a balloon backdrop and winter-themed props for families to enjoy. As volunteers helped run the event, many reflected on their semester with the Village.

鈥淚 loved getting to know all the kids at the Village and getting to see their faces each week,鈥� shared volunteer Leah Alberga, a member of one of the Village鈥檚 Elon partner classes. Her classmate, Barbara Vallejo, echoed the sentiment: 鈥淚 love the community aspect, I love getting to know the kids and parents. It鈥檚 just a really great community.鈥�

This year鈥檚 celebration also included a Community Resource Fair featuring six local partner organizations: Valores, CrossRoads, Alamance County Public Libraries, New Arrivals Institute, Strong Minds UNCG and the Alamance Partnership for Children. In addition, three students from one of the Village鈥檚 Elon class partners, “ENG 3060: TESOL Theory and Practice,” hosted a booth where children colored bilingual bookmarks. As families moved through the room, they could participate in a bingo activity by visiting each partner table, learning about their services, and receiving a stamp. Completed cards could then be exchanged for a candy bar on their way out.

The Book Bash serves as a powerful demonstration of what it means to be part of a village. The collaboration among community partners, the service of dedicated volunteers, and the enthusiastic participation of families all embodied the Village mission: coming together to support Alamance-Burlington students.

While the Book Bash marks the end of the fall semester, the work of uplifting ABSS students continues. Spring tutoring and additional programming will carry the Village mission forward into the new year.

Reimagined and relaunched by the It Takes a Village Project in September, Engineering in the Village provides students across the Alamance-Burlington School System(ABSS) a 10-session experience through May. Funded by Labcorp and Alamance Community Foundation, the program is offered at no cost to participants. In partnership with Elon Dining, every student also receives a meal each session, fueling young minds for a successful night.

Leading the program are two 福利亚洲国产精品 faculty members, Sirena Hargrove-Leak, professor of engineering, and Blake Hament, assistant professor of engineering. Supported by ABSS teachers, they crafted a curriculum that encourages students to explore STEM through creativity, collaboration and problem-solving. For many families, Engineering in the Village has become a place where children can build confidence, discover new interests and expand their knowledge of the STEM world.

During the most recent session, students crowded into Innovation Hall, excited for what the evening鈥檚 activity would be. Among them was Alayna, a fifth-grade student who aspires to be an astronaut one day. For Alayna and her mother, Aisha, the program has been a transformative experience.

鈥淪he enjoys science and math, and she took more of an interest in science in first grade after we visited a NASA center and several science museums in the area. I believe that is her natural calling,鈥� said Aisha.

As students continued to arrive, they were met with an array of supplies waiting for them in the classroom: coffee filters, string and tape were prepared to be transformed into parachutes. After kicking off the lesson with a quick discussion, the students swiftly began sketching out their potential parachutes, with teachers walking around the classroom observing their initial blueprints.

Sketching away diligently, Ahmad, a sixth-grade student, began to consider different designs for his parachute.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really helpful because I want to work with science,鈥� said Ahmad. His mother, Mirvat, is equally enthusiastic about the program, sharing, 鈥淗e is very energetic to come here and enjoys the classes. Now with AI and so much technology coming in, it鈥檚 important.”

As coffee filters were prepared for flight, students rushed to the Innovation Hall聽stairwell to test their creations. After meticulously taping together different聽elements, Colton jogged to the second floor to witness his makeshift聽parachute in action. Behind聽颁辞濒迟辞苍鈥檚听determination to execute the perfect landing, his family has been a key player in broadening his interests. His grandmother, Earlene,聽expressed her excitement for Colton鈥檚 interests beyond traditional activities.聽

鈥淚 like the idea of him being in a STEM program, learning about the different avenues of life,鈥� Earlene said. “Most kids play sports, but I want them to learn about other stuff such as being an engineer, being a doctor, being a lawyer. There are more things out there for them to learn, that鈥檚 the biggest thing.鈥�

As the night came to a close, parents eagerly waited to reunite with their students and hear about their latest project. Sixth-grader, Jace, was met by his younger brother and father, Chris. As a result of the program, Chris has seen academic improvement in Jace, sharing,

鈥淲ith school he鈥檚 getting a lot better at it. I think the program itself is helping him with science classes,鈥� said Chris.

Additionally, Engineering in the Village is an opportunity for Jace to carry on his passion for science.

鈥淗is brother is doing robotics in the military, and so he wants to follow stuff like that,鈥� said Chris. 鈥淲e lived in Florida with all the NASA programs, and he was also doing robotics at his old school. He wanted to continue it here.鈥�

Jace is already imagining the future ahead of him, stating, 鈥淵ou can get an engineering job where you can build robots or cars.鈥�

Engineering in the Village continues to give ABSS students the chance to unleash their inner engineer by cultivating curiosity, collaboration, and the confidence to imagine themselves in future STEM careers. As students continue to partake in the program, they take one more step toward becoming the innovators of tomorrow.

The 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project was built on the foundation of increasing literacy in underrepresented backgrounds, starting by providing free afterschool tutoring for Title I Alamance-Burlington schools. Since its initial launch in 2008, the Village has expanded beyond its initial vision, serving more than 1,000 students each year with a variety of programming offered. Extending its impact beyond the classroom, parent workshops and weekly ESL classes are also available to support the families of Village students.

However, it takes a village to run programming at 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project.

In collaboration with North Carolina Campus Engagement (NCCE), AmeriCorps VISTAs serve full-time for one year to help educational and nonprofit programs strengthen their capacity for long-term sustainability. Behind the Village Project there are two AmeriCorps VISTAs who work to maintain the success of the program. Sydney Gilbert and Keely Platts are both recent graduates of 福利亚洲国产精品 and the AmeriCorps VISTAs at the Village Project site.

Gilbert, a 2024 Elon graduate with a degree in public health studies, is now in her second year as a VISTA with the Village Project. Her work focuses on program evaluation and data collection, both areas essential to the Village鈥檚 ongoing success. Over the past year, Gilbert has helped secure five grants totaling $25,000, expanded partnerships with community organizations, and implemented new systems to track student and volunteer outcomes.

鈥淏eing a VISTA has given me the opportunity to grow in my professional skills, evaluate my career interests, and connect with my community and other like-minded service members, all while contributing to a cause I am deeply passionate about.鈥� said Gilbert. 鈥淚t solidified my interest in public health and program evaluation.鈥�

Platts joined the Village in 2025 and has worked to apply Gilbert鈥檚 data into storytelling. As a 2025 Elon graduate with a degree in journalism and cinema and television arts, Platts has focused her work on marketing and volunteer recruitment efforts. Since beginning her term, Platts has brought in more than 140 volunteers, including Elon students and local high schoolers, and launched a new social media strategy to showcase the program鈥檚 impact.

For Laura Clemmons, 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� project鈥檚 program lead, the VISTAs have served as a vital piece to daily operations.

鈥淪ydney and Keely have been truly invaluable to the Village Project,” said Clemmons. 鈥淪ydney鈥檚 data-driven approach has helped us better understand and share our impact, secure important funding and strengthen partnerships across the community. Keely鈥檚 creativity and communication skills have brought our story to life, inspiring new volunteers and highlighting the heart of our mission. Together, they鈥檝e not only supported the day-to-day operations of the Village, but helped us grow and reach more students and families than ever before. Their dedication, professionalism, and genuine passion for service make them an essential part of what makes the Village thrive.鈥�

This past September, both VISTAs were able to showcase their work to their cohort at the NCCE AmeriCorps VISTA Retreat. This event provided a chance for the Village Project VISTAs to lead a workshop on Data and Storytelling, conveying the importance of turning numbers into narratives to their peers. Within her first year of service, Sydney has participated in a variety of similar gatherings, such as NCCE鈥檚 annual PACE conference,聽 to share her skills and help other organizations support funding, advocacy, and community engagement. These opportunities allow the VISTAs to expand their network and further develop presentation skills with professional audiences.

The dedication to 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project continues as the VISTAs approach the halfway point of their fall programming. Whether it is working onsite at partner schools, or in their office planning future endeavors, the efforts of AmeriCorps VISTAs make it possible for 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� Project to run as efficiently as possible. With hundreds of people involved in programming, the VISTAs are a consistent source of support behind the scenes so that volunteers and teachers can focus their efforts into successfully tutoring students.

Since 2008, the Village Project鈥檚 Big Village program has relied on dedicated volunteers to help with free after-school tutoring across 11 sites. Elon students have long supported the program by assisting teachers with activities and providing hands-on instruction to small groups of students.

Winter is an exercise science major on the pre-med track with plans to pursue pediatrics. A graduate of Williams High School, only ten minutes away from Elon鈥檚 campus, Winter has remained immersed in her community by volunteering with the Village. This past year, Winter volunteered at Pleasant Grove and North Graham Elementary, working with kindergarteners, first graders and eventually third graders. It was in a third-grade classroom when Winter experienced a deeper impact to the program after connecting with a third-grade student who had recently lost her older brother.聽 Through the Village, Winter was able to aid in academic support while also developing a mentor relationship with the student.

鈥淚t was a space where we were learning and getting stuff done,鈥� Winter said, 鈥渂ut it was also a space where she could feel comfortable and have a connection with someone older and responsible, but not a traditional adult.鈥�

Toms has experienced a similar effect from the program, working with fifth grade students at B. Everett Jordan Elementary School. After transferring to Elon from a larger university, the Village presented an opportunity for Jenna to intentionally reconnect with the local community.

鈥淭he school I volunteer at is on the same side of the county that I went to high school in,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eing able to connect with those students, knowing they鈥檒l probably go to the same high school I went to.It feels full circle.鈥�

Thanks to volunteers like Winter and Toms, the Village Project thrives. This past year, the Big Village program recorded an outstanding 5,096 combined volunteer hours. After calculating the monetary value of volunteer hours, the program projected that it saved the Alamance-Burlington School System $197,538 in tutoring costs. Volunteers make it possible for the Village Project and ABSS to continue free after-school programs that work towards promoting accessibility in education.

Beyond reconnecting with their hometown roots, the Village has also been a catalyst for change in other ways for the two students. For Toms, who is majoring in public health, it has shifted her perspective on the future.

鈥淲ith a degree in public health, I didn鈥檛 necessarily think I鈥檇 end up working with kids,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut after these experiences, it鈥檚 become clear that鈥檚 something I want to continue.鈥�

Meanwhile, working with the Village has confirmed for Winter that working in pediatrics is the career path that she will pursue. Both students plan to continue their work with the Village and within their communities.

With 1,867 students registered this past year, the Village Project continues to find a need for volunteer support for programming. For those interested in getting involved, both students highly encourage their peers to participate.

鈥淚 would just say, definitely try it, even if you鈥檙e scared,鈥� Toms said. 鈥淵ou might be surprised.鈥�

Students can learn more about volunteering with the Village Project by visiting their website.