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Community Affairs Newsletter

SUMMER 2024

Community Affairs Newsletter | Spring and Summer 2024


Swim to the Top Campers Recognized in 2024 Showcase

With summer here, parents can enjoy the pool season, too, knowing their children have learned water safety skills in combination with summer enrichment activities from participating in this year’s Swim to the Top.

Kids smiling and swimming in a pool
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“Since she can walk, she’s been constantly wanting to be in the water, but we’ve never actually put her through swim lessons, so I wanted to at least have her with that foundation of correct swimming,” said Alex Nelson, whose children participated in Swim to the Top. “They both [children] went up one level after their assessment, which is really cool, and every day they come back to tell us great stories about it.”

Swim to the Top is held annually during the month of June for children 4–14. To celebrate campers’ accomplishments, the Swim to the Top final showcase was held at the gymnasium of the Benjamin Barnes Branch YMCA on June 28.

During the showcase, attendees were treated to musical and dance performances that campers performed as part of the arts and enrichment component. Campers’ STEM projects were also on display, along with photos from throughout the camp.

Five junior swim instructors were also recognized during the ceremony for their leadership in helping the 4–8-year-olds learn how to swim. The juniors swim instructors program began as a collaborative effort in 2023 and expanded this summer.

“For the children Swim to the Top means fun, but for the Y, Swim to the Top represents safety for our campers,” said LaKeda Smith executive director of the Benjamin Barnes Branch YMCA.

While water safety is a top priority of the partnership, this year’s 127 campers also learned valuable skills in STEM, arts education, physical education, music and dance. Instructors from The University of Alabama and local school districts work with YMCA Barnes Branch summer attendees to provide swim instruction, physical education and academic enrichment activities to create a fun and supportive learning environment.

“I think the experience has been really good for the parents and the children because it gives the children an opportunity to stay active during the summer and learn different things that they haven’t been able to learn before,” said Ronneka Bazile, whose son participated in Swim to The Top. “And it gives the parent also an opportunity to feel like their children are in safe hands and that people are going to actually take care of them like you would.”

Showcase Concludes 2024 STEM Entrepreneurship Academy

The 2024 STEM Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA) concluded with a final showcase at North Lawn Hall on July 11, where the winning projects were also announced.

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Additional copy / remainder of update here


2024 BLAST Academy Showcases Students’ Creativity

BLAST (Building Leaders Through the Arts STEAM and Teamwork) Academy concluded its third year with a showcase on July 26 at the Moody Music Building Concert Hall, letting campers show their families what they learned throughout the summer.

Large group of people standing on a stage underneath a digital screen with the logo for BLAST
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“It [BLAST] has really blossomed his confidence, and he’s truly had so much fun,” said Stephanie McHenry, whose son participated in BLAST. “It has been great.”

During the showcase, each age group performed a musical routine based on a specific decade in music from the 1950s–1990s, emphasizing their coordination and comprehension.

“The BLAST Academy was very fulfilling for my granddaughter, and the program was wonderful,” added Joan Barfield, whose granddaughter also participated in BLAST this year.

Held on UA’s campus from July 8–26, BLAST Academy encouraged summer learning in a creative environment for children ages 5–14, with a focus on arts education and literacy, physical education, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and social emotional learning.

During the STEAM sessions, students conducted science experiments with creativity, learning how to build rollercoasters and catapults and apply computer science.

“We definitely focused on collaboration and working together in groups because no matter what career field, whether it’s STEM or not, eventually collaboration is going to be a big part of it,” said Nathaniel Merchant, a UA student and one of the STEAM instructors for BLAST.

Outside the classroom, campers furthered their teamwork skills by learning good sportsmanship in the PE component.

“We had a lot of fun,” said Kiley Inabnit, a UA undergraduate student and one of the BLAST PE instructors. “And we just really enjoyed working on their teamwork skills.”

Before the start of the final program, Big Al made a special appearance as the group leaders and instructors were recognized for their efforts.

“We are so excited for the families that are here, and we’ve had a wonderful three weeks with your students,” said Andrea Ziegler, director for Community Education.



From the Division of Community Affairs

Congratulations to Dr. Samory Pruitt, who was named the 2024 NAACP Living Legend by the Tuscaloosa County Branch of the NAACP.

This recognition honors a member of the Tuscaloosa community who has contributed significantly to enhancing civil rights in the community. Dr. Pruitt was recognized at a noon luncheon on Wednesday, June 19 at Shelton State Community College.


Full Calendar Snapshot

AUGUST

16

Winning Grants and Sustaining Communities

26

A Women’s Equality Day Dialogue

28

Fall Neighborhood Partnership Committee

SEPTEMBER

3

Global Cafe

10

SCOPE

12

Vision Days

17-18

Vision Days

19

Parent Teacher Leadership Academy

22-24

Fall Board of Advisors

24-25

Vision Days

25

United Way Agency Tours

25

United Way Kickoff

OCTOBER

1

Vision Days

1

Global Cafe

3

Council on Community-Based Partnerships

7-10

Engagement Scholarship Consortium

15

Vision Days

15

SCOPE

17

Parent Teacher Leadership Academy

22

United Way Agency Tours

29

Global Cafe

NOVEMBER

12

SCOPE

14

Council on Community-Based Partnerships

25

Winning Grants and Sustaining Communities

DECEMBER

3

Global Cafe

5

Parent Teacher Leadership Academy

9-13

SCOPE Finals Week Study

12

United Way Campaign Celebration