Contributed COLOR BLAST —Adviser Megan Jarvis joined dozens of students outside Jefferson County Joint Vocational School for the third annual Color Run hosted by the Sources of Strength student organization. Dozens of participants weaved through an obstacle course while being doused with colorful chalk dust. Jarvis, who serves as mental health counselor, said the purpose was to build a sense of community and camaraderie and to forge friendships at the school.

BLOOMINGDALE — Dozens of students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School were doused in colorful chalk dust April 30 during the third annual Color Run, an event aimed at building school spirit and connection.

The event, hosted by the Sources of Strength student organization, featured outdoor activities including a dizzy bat challenge, obstacle course, cone weaving, hula hoop hopscotch, limbo and a balance beam — all while students were sprayed with pastel-colored chalk.

About 30 Sources of Strength members participated in the event, which also included candy and slushies provided by the school’s Transition to Work program.

Adviser Megan Jarvis, a mental health counselor at the school, said the event was designed to promote unity as prom week concluded.

“It is to bring students together for camaraderie and strengthen their bonds,” Jarvis said. “Sources of Strength means to spread hope, help, and strength into every corner of our community.”

Sources of Strength is a peer-led suicide prevention and mental health promotion program that began at JVS in 2022. The initiative focuses on strengthening protective factors related to mental health while also addressing bullying, violence and substance abuse.

Student officers this year include Tucker Winski, president; Alex Fundersol, vice president; Rylie Viers, secretary; and Avery Patterson, treasurer.

The group has also organized multiple school-year fundraisers and service projects, including a toy spider race, a “Thankful Tree,” Valentine messages, a “Rock, Paper, Scissors” event, Easter basket raffles and an egg hunt, as well as donations to the ALIVE Shelter during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.