When UTC students return to Dalewood Middle School in Brainerd this week, they will bring with them ideas and enthusiasm generated for the school in part by the community. But they will still need community support to turn that into something the school can use.
“We could definitely use money, materials and volunteers to help make these concepts come to life,” said Leslie Jensen-Inman, who is overseeing the project. “CreateAthon onCampus has been a life-changing experience for most of us who have been involved. It has been so wonderful to witness the growth of the students and the coming together of our community.”
Peyton Rowe, who helped bring CreateAthon to Chattanooga, UTC professor Leslie Jensen-Inman and CreateHere co-founder Helen Johnson, from left, are asking the community to help transform Dalewood Middle School and the community itself.About 40 professionals in various fields and placements joined Jensen-Inman’s Professional Practices of Graphic Design class last week for a 24-hour “CreateAthon” to brainstorm ideas and develop a plan to upgrade the school.
“Twenty-four hours might seem like a long time when you’re not sleeping, but it’s really a short time to produce a lot of work,” the young UTC professor of art, design and technology said. “It actually takes a whole community to make positive, significant change. We’re really excited to be able to present these concepts and then work with Dalewood’s principal and school to implement them.”
The collaboration also involves CreateHere and the Urban League of Chattanooga.