October 7, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (10/06/15) - East Texas Baptist University freshmen students saw smiles on many children's faces as they hosted Fall Festivals at two Marshall Independent School District campuses. The two separate festivals were held at Lee Elementary and South Marshall Stem Academy on Thursday evening, October 1.
"The children at Lee were so enthusiastic when they saw the ETBU students setting up the fair. They had so much fun playing the games and winning prizes and candy," said ETBU Great Commission Director Dr. Lisa Seeley.
Children enjoyed playing games as well as other fun activities led by the Learning and Leading classes from ETBU. All ETBU freshmen are enrolled in the Learning and Leading program, which challenges students to faithfully live as Christian servant leaders on campus and beyond.
According to Dr. Seeley, the purpose of the Fall Festivals is twofold. "We want our students to learn to serve as part of their walk with Christ but we also want to serve our community as part of that community. Our hope is that service becomes second nature to our students. That it is something they carry into their lives as they graduate and move on from ETBU," shared Seeley.
While the South Marshall PTA was holding their annual hamburger fundraiser, ETBU simultaneously provided games for the children in attendance.
ETBU Director of Student Success, Kelley Paul, said, "One of my favorite activities I do as a Learning and Leading instructor is serving the Marshall community alongside my 15 or so freshmen students at events like the Hamburger Supper at South Marshall Elementary."
"I have a 2nd grader at South Marshall and I see this partnership on multiple levels and it makes me proud to be a part of a university that puts emphasis on giving back to the community that they live in. I love when my ETBU world and my Marshall world intersect in such a sweet way," added Paul.
Her son, Caleb Paul, is a second grader in Mrs. Sharon Duncan's class. "I had a lot of fun playing four-square at the Hamburger Supper and it was fun that the college kids helped us play," said Caleb.
"Our ETBU students had fun interacting with the children and with each other as part of a team. The smiles on the faces of the children made it all so rewarding," concluded Dr. Seeley.
Serving in the Marshall community is something students faithfully do as they attend ETBU.