Atkinson Elementary School proudly continued its long-standing tradition of Heritage Day, a field trip that educates students about the rich mountain history. This 28-year tradition, initially established in 1995, was brought back to life in 2017 and successfully continued this week with the participation of over 300 students and staff at Camp Pinnacle.
Heritage Day owes its success to the dedication and vision of retired Atkinson teachers, Harriet Dorsey Sterling and Kathy McCusker, as well as former principal and retired HCPS superintendent, Bo Caldwell. Their commitment to preserving mountain traditions led to the establishment of this beloved event. Although it was held biennially until 2006, Heritage Day made a triumphant return in 2017 under the leadership of teacher Cathey Gilbert. This year, the event was led by both Cathey Gilbert and Makayla Coggins Luther.
“The orchestration for this all-day event takes about five months to plan and execute. There are a lot of moving parts when you are coordinating the entire school body and more than 30 presenters,” said Gilbert. “It is a rich tradition that we will strive to continue because a generation without the knowledge of their past history and culture is like a tree without roots. What our Atkinson students learn and experience on Heritage Day far surpasses any lesson merely provided in a book.”
The generosity of Camp Pinnacle, which allowed Atkinson to utilize their camp facilities, and the invaluable support of over 30 community partners, has been instrumental in making this tradition possible over the past few years. A Rotary Grant also helped defray some of the cost.
“It is truly remarkable how numerous local clubs, parks, and dedicated volunteers continue to preserve and teach our abundant history to others,” said Principal Mark Page.
Heritage Day offers an immersive experience for students, centered on mountain heritage and historical learning -everything from square dancing and apple cider, to crafting corn husk dolls, exploring the art of dulcimers, immersive storytelling, the craft of quilting, beekeeping, discovering old toys, sack races, soap making, churning butter, making biscuits, learning about archery, delving into the stories of Carl Sandburg, savoring the sounds of bagpipes, learning about Civil War History, and exploring the art of pottery and blacksmithing.
Page spoke to the impact of Heritage Day that goes beyond a field trip. “This is a unique and wonderful opportunity for students and staff to discover the roots of our community.”
