Students are hitting the ground running for the inaugural year of the Bartleby Program.
Throughout the 2017-18 academic year, students at Elizabethton High School are participating in a bevy of community projects as part of Bartleby. After being awarded funds last year for their XQ Super School Project, two classes were created for this year — Community Improvement and Entrepreneurship.
When it comes to community improvement, EHS student Sarrah Eggers saw a prime opportunity to spruce up some of the atmosphere in downtown Elizabethton. Eggers is working alongside the Elizabethton Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Downtown Business Association to add some color in the community.
“My project was initially categorized as the beautification of Elizabethton.” Eggers told the Elizabethton Star. “Of course that is happening through the murals, which is my primary focus right now.
“Alleyways generally have a negative connotation and are dark and scary,” she continued. “Filling them with life, color and happiness will take down that connotation. The murals will also draw much needed attention to the downtown area.”
First on the to-do list for murals involves the Dressing Room, according to the student.
“The mural that will be behind the dressing room will be a fairy garden of sorts,” Eggers said. “The centerpiece will be a cherry blossom tree. It will be full of bright colors and have a childlike essence.”
Eggers added that paintings will be placed on the side of Blue River Studio that will include two sets of wings designed for pictures.
But the project needs a little extra support. Eggers added she’s currently seeking any donations to assist with the project.
“We will need several gallons of paint in a variety of colors,” she said. “We will also need the brushes and supplies to apply the paint. The specific paint needed for painting the brick wall and having it last is more expensive than regular paint.”
Individuals can email Eggers at sarraheggers1@gmail.com to learn more about how to get involved with the project.
Dustin Hensley, with EHS, recently told the Elizabethton Star that the students have been eyeing the two new classes since the summer.
“The fall semester will see the beginning of our Community Improvement class and the spring semester will be when our Entrepreneurship class begins. Our students have been emailing all summer asking about updates and wanting to get the class started,” he said. “You know you’re doing something right when students are thinking about school in a positive manner during the summer and can’t wait to start working on their projects.”
Being part of the Bartleby Program has been an enjoyable experience so far, according to Eggers, with many more projects on the horizon.
“Not only do we focus on our own projects, we also collaborate as a class on bigger projects,” Eggers said about the Community Improvement class. “In certain instances, we have put all of our heads together to help one specific persons projects in the class. The class provides a type of freedom I have never felt in school.”