Our 2026 Summer Enrichment           Program was Awesome
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The BridgesWork summer enrichment program continued in 2026, with approximately 160 students, student assistants, teachers, and mentors gathering for two weeks of excitement, learning, and laughter.     
 
Ms. Mel Rothermel (Trinity High School) and Ms. Michelle Pepper (Meadow Creek Elementary) successfully navigated the administrative hurdles for another year. At the same time, Ms. Barbara Borland (Midway Park and Fuller Hearts Pre-School), Ms. Kristy Paiboon (South Euless), Ms. Wendy Bambico (Viridian),  Ms. Amy Ruby (retired faculty),  Ms. Ashley Harris (Meadow Creek), Ms. Tonya McKenna and Ms. Sophie Rodgers (River Trails), Ms. Cathy Rodgers (Meadow Creek), Ms. Vonny Williams (Wilshire), and "Coach" Michael Boykin (Midway Park)  all returned to lead classes once again.
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Coach Dunk stepped into a new roll facilitating the introductory leadership program for students in grades 7-8. 
  
In addition, we were pleased that several new team members from last year joined us once more. Miss Lauren Thorsell and Ms. Stephany Robertson (Lakewood Elementary), Ms. Alicia Bellinger (Meadow Creek), and Ms. Cheryl Browning-Lotto (Wilshire) continued to bring intriguing new ideas to the programs they led.

We were fortunate that Ms. Emma Speegle, one of our former student assistants who now teaches in Pflugerville ISD, was able to join us as a third-grade teacher, and that Dylan Pepper, a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, was able to work alongside Ms. Rita Ferreira, who returned to us after a year's absence, leading our fifth-grade class.  
 
Finally, we were excited that several student/adult assistants joined us to support and also learn from our seasoned veterans. Miss Mia Fontenot, a BridgesWork graduate and current nursing major from UTA; Miss Nelly Lozano Burgos, a freshman education major at TCC; and Miss Deserie Barnhart, a recent Trinity High School graduate, all joined Ms. Tristan Briggs, a music teacher from Lewisville ISD, as mentors and extra helping hands each day. 
 
Our kids described our meals this year as "the best they'd ever had!" That praise was universal and made possible by a dedicated meal preparation staff that included Ms. Mary Smith, Justin Smith, TJ Pepper, and Ms. Dayline Burgos Del Valle. This year Mary, Dayline, and Justin went the extra mile and obtained food handler licensing certifications. Working tirelessly to prepare several homemade items, including strawberry shortcake and a refreshing "summer punch," they cleverly implemented a FIFA World Cup theme and also continued to offer old favorites. Special recognition is in order for several local businesses who donated meals and special treats, including: FireHouse Subs, Andy's Frozen Custard, Rita's Italian Ice, Bojangles Chicken, Tiff's Treats, and Chicken N' Pickle in Colleyville. 
 
There were delicious surprises almost every day, including nachos, Taquitos with beans and rice, and spaghetti/meatballs with salad! In addition, the kids had several days of cool treats, including popsicles and the unique icee flavors (donated by Rita's Italian Ice) and ice cream (donated by Andy's Frozen Custard)!​​​

We would like to extend a special note of gratitude to Joeris General Contractors for sponsoring our Field Day lunch from Chick-fil-A.
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Our two weeks of learning, laughter, and love ended way before we were ready, and we cannot wait to be together again. Our fall and spring Saturday sessions begin October 17. Please see the "About Us" section on our home page for the fall and spring schedule. 
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