A small buzz started around town last week. You could feel the energy changing, welcoming hopefully cooler weather and back-to-school spirit.
As a newcomer to Dublin one of the things that has impressed me from the get-go is the generosity of those in the community … the kindness, helping hands and uplifting nature of Dublinites. That couldn’t be more apparent than during back-to-school time.
It truly takes a village and the villages in Erath County have stepped up in grand fashion both with Saturday’s Back-to-School Fair and with welcoming teachers back at their first day on Monday.
Friday I had the privilege of volunteering with Library Director Adina Dunn and other volunteers who organized numerous donations for the fair set for the following day.
Walking into the community room, I was completely unprepared and overwhelmed at the sheer number of donations. Man, people genuinely care about kids in this town.
From hygiene items to new socks and spiffy new backpacks, items were geared to help all the students and parents have a great upcoming school year.
As myself and several other volunteers (including the terrific Olivia Salyer) organized and separated the backpacks, 300 all together, we couldn’t help but be moved by the support the communities of Dublin and Stephenville has shown toward our kids. Olivia, an incoming freshman, was such a help to this “old one” who literally turned 41 this week. I had no idea what an age appropriate elementary school vs. middle school backpack looked like and honestly would have been so lost without her help.
Fast forward to Monday and Dublin ISD teachers were welcomed by the city, business community, school district board of trustees, local police officers and chamber of commerce members.
Eating a tasty breakfast provided by the school district, teachers were excited for the upcoming school year and it showed. Honestly between the happiness and the lingering smell of new school supplies from Saturday’s event, I could feel myself longing to be back in school.
Superintendent Melissa Summers welcomed teachers and said one thing that stuck out in my mind. “It’s all about the kids,” she said, encouraging teachers into the new school year.
And it absolutely is. I just hope one of them might share their bright and shiny crayons with this journalist that loves to color.
—Wyndi Veigel is content editor for the Dublin Citizen and can be reached at composing@dublincitizen.com.