Lights On!
Lights On! is a national celebration to call attention to the importance of after school programs for America's children, families and communities. Lights On After School! is a project of Afterschool Alliance, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable after school programs. On October 21st, 2010 Fort Worth After School held its annual Lights On! celebration.
This year Fort Worth After School partnered with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, also known as The T, to host our central Lights On! celebration. The event was held downtown at the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center, where 100+ elementary, middle, and high school students recreated their Lights On! artwork on the sidewalk in front of the train platform.
In addition to the sidewalk art, representatives from The T introduced ‘Expressions That Move You,’ a year-long art contest that will culminate in recognition of contest winners at the annual Showcase of Stars held on May 9th, 2011. The contest runs from October 22nd, 2010 to April 1st, 2011. Ten winners will be chosen from three categories: four from Kindergarten through 5th grade, three from 6-8th grade, and three from 9-12th grade. All winners will be presented with a certificate and have their artwork place on the side of one or more T buses to be used on The T’s regular fixed-route service. There will be one grand prize winner from each category; those three students will receive a prize to be determined at a later date.
The event was concluded with a word from Fort Worth After School director Miguel Garcia and special guest Dr. Sylvia Reyna, Fort Worth ISD’s Chief of Administration.
We would like to thank Lowe’s, The Home Depot, The T, and Ace Restaurant Supply for their help in making Lights On! 2010 a wonderful success.