A Staff Report
The Bladen Community College (BCC) orchestrated yet another resounding success with its annual Back to School Blast, a vibrant event that unfolded on campus from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. Eager participants were greeted by the spirited sight of the Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy Cadets presenting colors, setting the tone for a dynamic day.
Dr. Amanda Lee, President of BCC, and Mr. Dennis Troy, BCC Board of Trustee Chairman, warmly welcomed the attendees, encapsulating the college’s commitment to community engagement. An integral facet of the event, students were presented with empty backpacks upon their arrival at the library. They subsequently embarked on a journey across campus, visiting different buildings to amass an array of essential school supplies, thereby gearing up for the upcoming academic year.
Blair Potter, Director of Communications & Marketing with Bladen Community College, expressed delight in the event’s success, revealing that this year witnessed the distribution of a staggering 900 backpacks, marking a significant increase from the 775 distributed in the previous year. The campus salon contributed to the festivities by providing 48 complimentary haircuts, an impressive rise from the 18 offered last year.
In a heartening display of community solidarity, approximately 1,000 donated polo shirts found new homes through the combined efforts of Leinwand’s and the Elizabethtown Rotary Club. Michael Leinwand, a long-time member of the Elizabethtown Rotary Club, underscored the collaborative spirit by noting, “Rotary donated about $400 for the back-to-school event, and we (Leinwand’s of Elizabethtown) contributed a significant number of polo shirts too.” The auditorium hosted the distribution of additional children’s clothing, adding to the overall sense of camaraderie.
Michael Leinwand, who attended the event for the first time, conveyed his admiration for the turnout, emphasizing the excellent attendance.
The Back to School Blast attracted an impressive array of vendors, including Bladen County Schools, Bladen County Migrant Education, Bladen County Health Department, Bladen County 4H, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, and Lumber River United Way. Sinia Colville, the reigning 2022-2023 Little Miss Dublin Peanut Festival, embarked on an engaging tour of the college grounds, embracing the festive atmosphere and availing herself of back-to-school merchandise.
A highlight of the event, the uniform exchange held within the auditorium, garnered substantial interest and participation, underscoring the community’s inclination to support such initiatives. The collective satisfaction of all involved resonated in the words of Blair Potter, who affirmed, “We identified 47 potential adult students during the event who expressed keen interest in attending Bladen Community College, and we are dedicated to following up with them this week.”
The Back To School Blast not only provided vital resources for students but also created a platform for fostering connections, celebrating community, and fortifying the spirit of learning.
Related article:
https://bladenonline.com/bcc-
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