Over 1,000 middle school students participated in activities, received educational materials to take home

EASTON, PA – January 27, 2023 – 1,300 middle school students from the Easton Area School District (EASD) were treated last week to a Lafayette College Women’s Basketball game as part of an on-campus experience. In collaboration with volunteers from Wells Fargo, Lafayette College and EASD a full day of activities and workshops were prepared in an effort to expose students to the benefits of higher education.

“The opportunity to bring the children of Easton to our campus to interact with our student-athletes is wonderful to witness and it’s one of my favorite events of the year. Our students light up seeing the kids and I know the kids have a great time as well,” said Sherryta Freeman, Lafayette Director of Athletics. “Wells Fargo has been a great partner with the College for this event, and each year we’ve been able to make it better with their help. They’ve helped us incorporate financial literacy and leadership components into the program, which benefits all members of the community.”

EASD students spoke to student athletes from the women’s basketball and cheer teams about their experiences as student-athletes, engaged in team-building activities and participated in on-court competitions.

“The Lafayette Game Day Experience is a phenomenal opportunity for our students and staff to experience the atmosphere of a local institution of Higher Education. It also allows the District staff members to build connections with local partners such as Lafayette and Wells Fargo,” said Tracy Piazza, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at EASD. “Those connections translate into learning opportunities such as the one Wells Fargo provides on Financial Literacy and that the Lafayette students provide on what it takes to be a successful student-athlete at the collegiate level. We, the Easton Area School District, are grateful for the partnerships.”

This is the third time Wells Fargo has sponsored the event.  In addition to providing volunteers day-of, Wells Fargo donated education materials for students to take home, including the book [book title] and financial literacy information.

“We’re thrilled to be back interacting in-person with local students at Lafayette College,” said William Della Vecchia, District Senior Manager at Wells Fargo. “At Wells Fargo, we’re truly committed to our communities, our people and making a real impact through action. We know that this type of exposure to higher education and financial literacy can have positive impacts for preparing young people to lead economically empowered lives, and we’re proud to collaborate with local organizations to make this work possible.”

Wells Fargo will also be conducting financial education workshops for both EASD teachers and student athletes at Lafayette College this winter and spring.

About Lafayette College

Lafayette College is a nationally renowned, private liberal arts college located in Easton, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1826, the College offers undergraduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. Lafayette ranks among the finest undergraduate liberal arts colleges in the United States and is known for its strong focus on undergraduate education, its commitment to hands-on, experiential learning opportunities, and its 23-sport, NCAA Division I athletics program. It has a student body of around 2,700 undergraduates and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1.

About Easton Area School District

The Easton Area School District is an urban, suburban, and rural public school district located in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. In Northampton County it serves the city of Easton, as well as Forks, Palmer, and portions of Lower Mount Bethel Townships. The Easton Area School District encompasses approximately 28 square miles. The superintendent of the Easton Area School District is Mr. David Piperato. The Easton Area School District is comprised of nine schools, including one high school, one middle school, and seven elementary schools.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Elise Corbett
Wells Fargo