S.H.I.N.E. After-School Program held a festive winter event recently at the Panther Valley Elementary School in Nesquehoning.
In addition to regular activities, leaders organize monthly themed dinner programs for the students. This month, the Disney movie “Frozen” was chosen for the event.
Prior to the event, members decorated the school cafeteria with blue and white garland, paper snowflakes and numerous other decorations. Adding to the event, students were treated to music and costumed characters played by Lehigh Carbon Community College interns Natalie Fulk as “Anna”, Jake Wenzel as “Olaf” and Krissy Gilbert as “Elsa”.

“During the dinner, we had the actual movie playing in the background. After the meal, the students, teachers, and interns enjoyed singing some of the songs from the movie to their families,” said Gilbert. “Even our desserts included frozen ice cream and blue gelatin squares that looked like little ice cubes.”
Throughout the evening, many of the students and family members had their pictures taken with the “Frozen” characters.
“Everyone had a great time, and the children loved it almost as much as they love the actual movie,” added Gilbert.
The Panther Valley SHINE program, which stands for “Schools and Homes In Education”, is run by head teacher Ashley Heatter, assistant teacher Melissa Gilbert and headed by SHINE director Rachel Strucko.
The Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) Carbon and Schuylkill SHINE 21st Century After-School Program involves several schools from both Schuylkill and Carbon counties.
For more information about the program, visit www.shineafterschool.com.