Back to School Bash a win for students in Morven

MORVEN — Saturday Holla! Development Center and NC Counts Coalition teamed up to sponsor Morven’s Back-To-School Bash for students.

Principal of Morven Elementary Dr. Pratt, teachers’ Rosa Short, Ethel Hall, and Tameka Adams, along with her daughter Justice Adams handed out free backpacks and school supplies while Patricia Bennett of National Association of University Women also assisted the Morven Elementary school volunteers.

“I am very excited about participating, my favorite part is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces,” Rosa Short said.

Ethel Hall knows a lot of teachers find themselves needing to spend their own money to keep their classrooms well stocked.

“I want to make sure our students have what they need at the start of school,” Hall said.

Proving her role as an educator never stops, Temeka Adams was proud to volunteer with her daughter.

“I get a lot of enjoyment being able to work alongside the community, to help the students at our schools,” Adams said.

Seeing her community and teachers from the Anson County School system rallying around students like her, Justice Adams said it gave her a feeling of being supported by her community.

“It makes me feel like I’m not in this alone and I have support. I enjoy being here with my mom handing out school supplies and seeing kids I know from school,” Adams said.

Morven Town Councilwoman, and 50-year computer skills teacher, Marjorie Cole knows there is a need in the community and came out to show her support.

“I really want to encourage parents and non-parents alike to donate supplies for our students. They are so needed in our schools and we are a community so we need to come together and give back like a community for the sake of our young ones,” Cole said.

Explaining why being at the event is so important, Cole says, “If we are not role models now as teachers we never will be.”

Desirous to continue building strong bridges between the school system and the community, Dr. Pratt hopes the school and community continue collaborating throughout the year.

“We wanted to come out and show our faces out here in the community as much as possible throughout the school year,” Pratt said.

An assortment of required supplies were given out, including glue sticks, notebook paper and pads, pencils, high-lighters, colored pencils, crayons, and many other learning materials. Any leftover supplies will be donated to Morven Elementary School.

The event also focused on health equality, LGBTQ Bi-partnerships, people of color and ensuring people are informed through Black Voters Matter.

“This election cycle everything is going to matter… we endorse issues, not candidates, and we want voters to be informed on the issues,”

Leon Gatewood said.

Sitting behind a booth offering free COVID tests, crisp white masks, and information pamphlets, Jeremiah Kirkley, a volunteer with Black Voters Matters, agrees.

A student at Anson Early College, Kirkley is looking forward to learning the intricacies of political science through good old fashioned grassroots door-to-door canvassing this election season.