Having a community to provide support, advice and resources can make the school year easier for students of all ages — even those going away to college.
After the influence of a Leesburg community leader changed the trajectory of his life as a teenager, Pernell Mitchell Jr. was determined to take on the responsibility of encouraging generations growing up after him to attend college and is supporting them throughout their journey through his nonprofit, Young Lake Co.
Nonprofits like Mitchell’s and other organizations in Lake and Sumter counties are hosting back-to-school parties and giveaway events in various communities throughout August to provide students with school supplies, mentorship and the chance to have one last summer party before school starts.
Mitchell said he was determined to attend Florida State University to honor his father, until he was convinced to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), one of 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation.
“Me, my twin sister and my godsister all became Rattlers because of one man, Kevin Brown,” Mitchell said. “Unfortunately, he passed away and I didn’t get a chance to tell him all the things I encountered or that he helped change my life.”
Understanding the impact the decision had on his life, Mitchell wanted to pay the support forward. On July 30, Young Lake Co. filled the minds and bellies of 15 students from Lake and Sumter County with advice and food before they begin or continue their college journey during the 4th annual HB-See-U-Off event.
Lauren Mickens, who has participated in previous Young Lake Co. events, said the support she’s received from the nonprofit has been invaluable.
As a senior at FAMU, Mickens participated in the fourth annual HB-See-U-Off event by playing HBCU jeopardy with the other students and sharing advice from her on-campus experiences.
“It means richness, but in the form of education,” Mickens said. “It’s a personal goal of mine to increase HBCU enrollment in Lake County. For me to know there’s a community for me at home and school, it’s increased my ambition and informed me of resources I can share with other students when I come back.”
Targeting Anxiety
The school year can come with some unexpected high emotions. Nearly 75% of high school students can feel stress or anxiety related to academic pressures, according to the American Institute of Stress. To help give some guidance on planning and help prepare for when stressful times hit, the Leesburg Public Library is hosting the Teen SPACE: Back to School Prep event.
During the hourlong session, teens can make stress “squishies” and personalized planners in anticipation of the upcoming school year. The free program, which is geared toward students ages 11 to 18 years old, will be from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Leesburg Public Library, 100 E Main St., Leesburg.
Hannah Beck, Leesburg Public Library teen program assistant, said the main goal behind the program is to get teens ready and excited for the new school year by doing crafts and activities.
“Between schoolwork, sports and any other extracurricular activities, our teen patrons are busy people,” Beck said. “Utilizing a planner and learning how to best allocate their time will help manage their everyday stress and help prepare them to stay organized in the future.”
No registration for the program is required. For more information about the event, visit mylakelibrary.org.
Glowing For Success
Students can get lost in glowing foam and stock up on school supplies at the Sumter County Farmers Market’s “Back to School Friday Night at the Market” from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Glowing foamy bubbles will cover the ground, creating a unique way to release steam and prepare for school between 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sumter County Farmers Market, 524 N Market Blvd., Webster.
The event also features a school-supply giveaway, free hairstyling, live music, vendors, food trucks, a photo booth and a kids corner.
Simply Be-You-Tiful by Ash, which is based in Bushnell, will provide free haircuts for school-age kids and Braids by Meme 352 will provide free braiding services during the market.
Sumter County Farmers Market marketing coordinator Lori Dodson said leftover school supplies will be donated to Webster Elementary School and South Sumter Middle School.
“Last year, we started our Friday Night at the Market events and the August market was the most popular one we had,” Dodson said. “It was so popular, we knew that we would have to host it again. The whole night we had glowing green kids running around with huge smiles on their facec. We hardly have any free events for kids like this in Webster, so it’s nice to bring this to the community.”
For more information about the market, visit sumtercountyfarmersmarket.com.
Pop-Up Shops
A handful of vendors, crafters and artisans will gather at the Lake Square Mall for the Back to School Vendor Market event.
While stopping by stores in the mall for some school clothes shopping, people will be able to stop by any of the 30 vendors who will have an array of supplies.
The market, hosted by Specialty Pop-Up Events, will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Lake Square Mall, 10401 U.S. 441, Leesburg.
Along with the back-to-school market, local kids and teens who are fans of the video game Fortnite, can enjoy themselves during the “Fortnite at the Square” special event.
Starting at noon , there will be interactive activities, games and opportunities for photos with Fornite characters.
Robin Reynolds, Lake Square Mall events coordinator, said the events are a way for the mall to support the community and for the community to support itself.
“We help hold these events to support local businesses and support the local community,” Reynolds said. “With it being back-to-school theme, people can donate to the Lake County School System.”
For more information about the free event, visit lakesquaremall.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
