UNC Asheville Students Kick Off the Holidays for
Local Head Start Centers

Preschooler Bernice Damian beamed as she unwrapped a package containing a pink toy guitar from UNC Asheville junior Teaching Fellow Linda Simthong. As Damian began to play with the toy, it was hard to tell who was more excited – the preschooler or the college student.

Simthong was one of more than 100 UNC Asheville students volunteering at the University’s ninth annual Head Start Holiday Party on Tuesday. More than 100 preschoolers from Pisgah View and Barnardsville Head Start Centers participated.

“It’s nice to spend time with children in the community and give them some fun,” said Simthong as she helped Damian unwrap the gift. “It’s great to emerge from a college environment every once in a while to see what’s really out there.”

The party began with an hour of entertainment, including a Dr. Seuss skit and a clogging performance by the Bulldog Stompers, followed by a sack lunch. During the party, children also stood in line to shyly whisper Christmas wishes to Santa Claus, played by UNC Asheville Associate Professor of Chemistry Charles James.

After telling Santa about her family, preschooler Camoria Whiteside asked for a Dora-the-Explorer doll and Barbies. Later, Whiteside received a stuffed elephant from Medelia Alladaye, a UNC Asheville exchange student visiting from France.

The big volunteer event is coordinated by UNC Asheville Literature Professor Peter Caulfield. In 1996, Caulfield was on off-campus scholarly assignment writing a work of fiction, which included a scene in a Head Start Center. Because he wasn’t familiar with the program, Caulfield arranged a visit to a local Center to observe the class. “I got hooked on the kids immediately,” he said. Caulfield returned to volunteer every Friday while he was on sabbatical. When he came back to campus, Caulfield began raising money to buy books for students at the Center. Soon he was asked to coordinate the Center’s annual holiday party. It has been a UNC Asheville tradition ever since.

“The UNC Asheville students look forward to it,” said Caulfield. “It’s a real treat for everyone. And it is really good for our students to interact with the preschoolers.”

Lauren Fox, UNC Asheville junior psychology major, agreed. She enjoyed spending the afternoon with preschooler Malachi Lee and watching him play with the remote-control toy truck she gave him. “It’s important that children spend time with young adults and have an exciting start to the Christmas season.”

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• UNC Asheville Public Information, 828/251-6526