Highland Elementary School (HES) recently hosted an Appalachian Christmas Extravaganza, a three-day celebration that welcomed over 2,500 attendees. This festive event, a cornerstone of the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) initiative, showcased the power of student leadership and community collaboration while honoring the region's rich Appalachian heritage.
As a proud Leader in Me school district, this event was entirely student-led. Students actively guided groups through interactive stations, demonstrating exceptional leadership and teamwork. Activities ranged from crafting ornaments to learning dances, ensuring every moment was filled with creativity and joy.
Each day, two schools rotated through a variety of engaging stations. The community was invited to a special event featuring the Festival of Trees and an Appalachian Gallery on Tuesday evening. Over 50 student-decorated Christmas trees filled the space, including a unique welded tree crafted by Johnson Central High School welding students.
A video by Jacob Slone captured the heartwarming moments, featuring interviews and highlighting the incredible efforts of students, teachers, administrators, and community members who made the event possible.
Principal Missy Davis played a pivotal role in organizing the Extravaganza. Her dedication to Highland Elementary and the surrounding community ensured every detail was flawlessly executed. Superintendent Cochran's strong leadership and focus on community engagement further contributed to the event's success.
One of the most heartwarming highlights involved students across the district creating 18 fleece hand-tied blankets donated to Mountain Manor, a local skilled nursing facility, spreading warmth and holiday cheer to its residents.
Acknowledgments
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, community partners, and volunteers. We extend our sincere gratitude to:
Sponsors: Foothills, Amplify, Kentucky Power, Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), McDonald's, Porkey's, Wilderness Education Project, and R&R Tent Rentals
Community Partners: ARH, UK King's Daughters, 4H, Johnson County Public Library
Full-Service Community Schools: Wilderness Education Project (WEP), Project Director Clabe Slone, WEP Carolyn Slone, WEP Keith Lyons, & WEP Rebecca Roach
Highland Elementary: Brandon Adams, Brian Vanhoose, Phillip Henderson, Highland Cafeteria Staff, Students & Faculty/Staff, Highland Choir & Director
School Partners: HES, JCMS, JCHS Lighthouse Teams/Coaches, Johnson Central High School Honor Choir, and Dance Teams/Coaches
District Partners: HES FRYSC Director Shelia Knipp-Ratliff/ All FRYSC Directors, Principals/Assistant Principals, Darren Gamble & Johnson County Transportation, Tommy McKenzie (Organizing Bus Schedule), HES Community School Coordinator Jessica Adams/ Community School Coordinators, Director of Nutrition Services Marsha Coleman/Cafeteria Staff, Matt Ratliff, Shawn Castle, Joey Estep, Mike Whitaker, Nathaniel Whitaker
Individuals and Groups: Zac Ebersole, Rebecca Clay, LaTonya Rowe, Missy Vanhoose, Jennifer Lemaster, Tomma Fletcher, Kristina Freeman, Roger Fairchild, Claudette Fairchild, Faith Fairchild, Ken McClure, Machelle McClure, Mr. & Mrs. Weddington, David Wright, vendors, food truck
Tent Setup: Jerrod Caudill, Camron Fyffe, Peyton Marshall, Zac Dennison, Kyra Music, Kolton Bishop, and Chance Scott
All: Students, Faculty/Staff, Administrators, Parents, & Community
Videographer: Jacob Slone
We sincerely apologize if anyone's contributions were inadvertently omitted. Please know that every effort and act of support is deeply valued and appreciated.
A Heartfelt Thank You:
Special thanks go to Superintendent Cochran for his unwavering support and to Principal Missy Davis for her exceptional leadership, thoughtful organization, and dedication to hosting this remarkable event. Principal Davis's dedication motivated students to take ownership of the activities, creating a truly memorable experience for all involved.
The Appalachian Christmas Extravaganza exemplifies the mission of Full-Service Community Schools – to foster strong connections and provide enriching experiences for students and families. Through collaborative partnerships and active community involvement, this event is a shining example of what can be achieved when working together toward a common purpose.
For more information on Full-Service Community Schools, please contact:
Lisa Blevins-Salyer
lisa.salyer@johnson.kyschools.us