Students soar at Transylvania University’s Superhero Day

LEXINGTON, Ky. – On Monday, students from Arlington and William Wells Brown elementary schools, as well as Sayre School, got the hero treatment at Superhero Day, as part of Transylvania University’s Community Engagement Through the Arts class.

The event aims to empower children to think of themselves as superheroes through activities such as games, art, a photo booth, robots, drones, free books-and capes custom-designed by the elementary school participants and CETA students.

“We wanted to do something we have never done before: bring together all the kids we have worked with and make a really fun experience for them that also has educational elements,” said English professor Kremena Todorova, who co-teaches CETA. “Because they share a neighborhood, we want these children to also share a morning together.”

This event is part of Transylvania’s Project One diversity and inclusion initiative.

“The best part so far was seeing the incredible enthusiasm and creativity of the students at William Wells Brown when they were making their own cape designs,” Transylvania junior Elly Maddy said.

Other Superhero Day activities will include a superhero play by Transylvania theater students, a performance by the university’s cheerleading and dance teams and demonstrations by the Lexington police and fire departments.

“It’s exciting to invite all of the children we have worked with to campus,” said art professor Kurt Gohde, the other co-teacher of CETA. “It’s important for children to have positive experiences on a college campus so they can more easily consider college as a future possibility.”

Superhero Day sponsors include the Blue Grass Community Foundation, Transy Athletics and the Kresge Foundation.