Featured Photos: 1) The Parade of Progress circled Valley Springs Middle School on June 21, 2021. 2) A young student holds a sign for Ready Rosie during the Parade of Progress. 3) The T.C. Roberson High Marching Band performs during the Parade of Progress. 4) BCS staff stand in front of the newly redesigned Bookmobile.
By: Benjamin Rickert
BCS Communications Dept.
The celebration of learning and literacy never ends in Buncombe County!
During the June 21
Parade of Progress, special guests, educators, and students marched around Asheville's Valley Springs Middle School led by T.C. Roberson High School’s Air Force JROTC unit and marching band. The energetic parade was organized by the Buncombe County Schools Foundation (BCSF) and honored past teachers and principals of the year while highlighting organizations and businesses committed to investing in area schools. The procession culminated in the unveiling of the colorfully redesigned BCS Bookmobile — ready to deliver books to children countywide this summer.
As the group gathered in the gymnasium following the parade, JROTC cadets presented the flag while a Roberson quartet sang the national anthem. BCSF Executive Director Christy Cheek stressed the importance of fostering an early love for reading in each child.
“Having the resources available to the community to enhance literacy is key,” she explained. “With programs such as Ready Rosie, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and the Bookmobile, future students and their families can begin their journey to education, imagination, and creativity. As they advance through life, reading is crucial and plays a pivotal role in all areas.”
“We do think that reading, literacy, and critical thinking skills are important,” added Dan Anderson, BCSF Board Chair and commercial banker at T.D. Bank. “Reading is the key to success going forward — it doesn’t matter what you want to be when you grow up.”
With support from the community, BCSF provided over $300,000 in student scholarships this past school year. The foundation also facilitated a classroom grant program for teachers, helped fund playgrounds and other learning facilities, increased internet connectivity during remote learning, improved the Bookmobile, and more.
“Our foundation’s new motto ‘Learning Without Limits’ means we should never have to say no to learning,” said Cheek. “We want to make sure students and teachers know about the opportunities that surround them in Buncombe County so they can live, work, and give back, as well.”
Following the event, guests lined up outside to donate children's books to the Bookmobile library.
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Learn more about the BCS Foundation at Foundation.BuncombeSchools.org. View our gallery on Facebook, or view and download all high resolution photos on Google Drive.