Laraway Youth Appear on WLVB Radio with Roland Lajoie to tout Upcoming Photography Opening Reception on October 19th

     Four teenagers in Laraway's therapeutic foster care program appeared on WLVB Radio with DJ Roland Lajoie to talk about a Photo Voice project they've been working on since last summer. They've created art, music and photographs to be featured in a show at Laraway's Gallery Space on our Johnson Campus.
     The Photo Voice project, called B.E.A.T.S., captures images depicting healthy alternatives to alcohol and substance abuse.  Youth took photos depicting spending time in nature, creating art and making music, among other activities.  The project is a Laraway collaboration with Healthy Lamoille Valley.
     The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Wednesday, October 19th, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Laraway Youth & Family Services, 275 VT Route 15W, Johnson.  For more information, or to RSVP, contact Katherine Stamper at Kstamper@Laraway.org or 802-635-2805 x 106 or Jessica Bickford at Jessica@healthylamoillevalley.org.

   

Laralympics Returns to Laraway School

   
     You didn't make the trip to Rio for the 2016 Olympics?  No worries.  Laraway is hosting a 3-day, Olympic-inspired extravaganza appropriately called "Laralympics." To prepare for the event, students have been studying the geography and history of the specific continents---as opposed to countries--- their educational teams are representing in the games.
     "This is the second time we are hosting Laralympics," said event organizer Jess McCoy.  "Laralympics builds a really great sense of community; it brings everyone together across classrooms and teams.  Plus, creating opportunities for healthy competition while keeping our students moving and growing is important."
     The continents represented include Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and South America.  As part of their studies, students have created flags and T-shirts for their designated continents.
     The event opened with a torch-lighting ceremony.  Athletic events include biking and canoeing plus traditional field and track events with a relay race.
     Laraway's cafeteria joined in on the fun by preparing themed meals to coincide with the continents studied.  Africa was represented by a tasty peanut soup and chicken couscous.  Egg rolls, sesame green beans and teriyaki chicken offered flavors of Asia.  Brazilian black bean stew and Peruvian Lomo Saltado satisfied South American appetites.
     "The food piece is really cool," McCoy said.  "Everyone is encouraged to step out of their comfort zone"...in a culinary sense!