COLOR BASH RAISES MONEY — Gabrielle Wilson, supervisor and assistant principal at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, emerged from a rainbow-colored dust cloud during the school’s first Color Bash event held in the school’s lower parking lot on May 10. Approximately 125 participants completed an obstacle course while being doused in chalk dust as a way to celebrate the end of the school year, while raising funds for the Sources of Strength organization. The mental health and suicide prevention initiative was created last year at the school. -- Contributed

BLOOMINGDALE — The Jefferson County Joint Vocational School campus was a veritable rainbow during the inaugural Color Bash event held May 10.

Approximately 125 students, faculty and staff members gathered outdoors to complete an obstacle course while being doused intermittently with colorful chalk dust along the course.

The activity served as a fundraiser for the school’s Sources of Strength student organization. This global mental health and suicide prevention initiative involves students serving as peer leaders and spreading hope, help and strength to other students.

The group formed in the spring. At first, members focused on peer support. This time, they sought to hold more engaging activities.

The group has since doubled to more than 20 members. They have created a bulletin board and community table in the cafeteria and held various fundraisers, including selling candygrams and holding a school-wide “Rock, Paper, Scissors” game.

The color bash had money-making options, including a $5 entry fee or a $20 fee that included a commemorative T-shirt.

Those in the Transition to Work program supplied cold slushies for attendees.

Participants began by spinning around until they were dizzy. They then ran to individual points where they jump roped, tossed a beach ball, completed a sack run, hopped through hula hoops and finished by having to bowl.

Throughout the entire challenge, participants were covered in hues of orange, yellow, pink, purple, blue and green. The event concluded with the entire group tossing more chalk to close the festivities.

Gabrielle Wilson, supervisor and assistant principal, advises the group with mental health counselor Don Ogden.

She said the bash helped wind down the school year while engaging students and staff in a day of fun.

“It’s to bring everybody together and celebrate the end of the 2023-24 school year,” Wilson stated. “It spreads a message of inclusivity and creates memories to look back on. We hope that it grows beyond the JVS and that someday, we can invite students from the home schools to attend. Next year, we want to add more invested support systems to distribute resources and let students know what’s out there to support them.”

Students involved in the activity said they enjoyed every moment.

“It was fun and I really enjoyed it,” said Isabella Poland, a senior in the animal science management program.

“I think it was pretty fun and really enjoyable to do,” said Olivia Menc, a fellow senior in the ASM program.

“I liked all the fun,” added Ryan Scott, a senior in the criminal justice program.

Proceeds from the event will help support Sources of Strength activities for the 2024-25 school year.