North Buncombe Middle School partnered with Ready, Set, Resilience to bring a unique lesson in emotional strength to seventh and eighth grade students.
Members of the Duke University-affiliated program visited the school to present a shadow puppet show focused on themes of resilience, perseverance, and coping with challenges. The performance blended storytelling through song and visual art to help students connect with the concept in an engaging, age-appropriate way.
Following the performance, the team demonstrated how the puppets were designed, built and used to tell stories, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.
Students then returned to their classrooms to participate in guided resilience activities designed to help them reflect on their own experiences and build practical skills for navigating adversity.
The program comes shortly after the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, a moment that has renewed conversations across the region about recovery, mental well-being, and community support.
School leaders said they hope the experience deepens students’ understanding of resilience and empowers them with healthy strategies they can carry forward.