Jumpstart Ends Third Year with Emotion and Fun

Click here to view other photos from the picnic.

Click here to return to the OUZ Press Release page.

Jumpstart Ohio University-Zanesville mentors held an end of the year picnic at Careytown Childcare Center to celebrate the success of this year’s Jumpstart program with their partner children and their families. “This is a wonderful way to help the children and the students bring closure to their yearlong relationship,” says Colleen Romito, site manager for the Jumpstart Ohio University-Zanesville program. She went on to explain that 15 of the 17 families involved in the program attended the picnic, which featured Curious George. 

George was quite excited to see each of the children receive a book featuring him. In addition, each child received several other gifts including a Jumpstart tee shirt, pencil and bookmark. The highlight for the families though, was the personalized portfolios they received documenting the progress of their child throughout the year.  “The portfolios help the students document their anecdotal observation of their partner child,” explains Romito. “This really enhances their educational experience and shows the parents the strides their children made toward school readiness.”

Five American Eagle Outfitter employees were on hand at the picnic to do face painting, take photos of Curious George and the children and help with crafts. “The children are so enthusiastic so it’s fun to work with them,” said Sarah Gibson, a sophomore at Muskingum College majoring in education. Sarah joined Ted Gavarkavich, Ashley Fenton, Jen Smith, and store manager Andrea Bates to help with the event as volunteers. “We’re a corporate sponsor,” explained Bates. “So we like to be involved.”

Through hugs and tears, the children and their partner said goodbye. Those priceless moments keep the members coming back each year. One member who has been involved with Jumpstart Ohio University-Zanesville for two years is Michael Emmert of Zanesville.

 “I like to be around the children,” says Emmert. “I have little brothers and teach karate to youth so being involved in  Jumpstart helps me work with them” He goes on to explain that he is working on earning a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education and hopes to teach social studies or math when he graduates from Ohio University-Zanesville.

Jumpstart does not only attract education students, however. One of this year’s Corp members, Brandy Haga says, “I want to work with terminally ill children.” She is a nursing student at Ohio University-Zanesville who thought the program would help her decide if she was making the right career choice.

“Being involved in Jumpstart reassures me I want to work with children,” says Haga. “I want to give them hope, love joy and peace to brighten their day.”

To find out more about Jumpstart at Ohio University-Zanesville call Romito at 740.588.1555 or reach her via email at romito@ohio.edu.