On Thursday, August 29, 2024, the Phoenix Alternative Education Center held its second Great Duck Race to mark the conclusion of Water Quality Month, celebrated each August. The event not only serves as a fun activity for students and staff, but also highlights Phoenix's participation in the Wisdom Spring’s Watershed Initiative, a project that supports building wells in communities without easy access to clean water.
In the week leading up to the race, every student and staff member selected a duck to enter the competition. In addition to the staff and students at Phoenix, Central Office (CO) administrators Russell Houck, Executive Director of Student Services, Bari Nixon, Director of Special Education, and Laura Hoover Director of Communication joined in on the fun. The top three ducks were awarded prizes. When asked about the experience, Chaz Robinson, the top student winner, shared, "It was fun."
This year marked the second running of The Great Duck Race. The inaugural race took place during the 2022-23 school year, but dry conditions prevented the event from being held in 2023-24.
Phoenix Administrator Chuck Toler said, “The Great Phoenix Duck Race is a good way to bring awareness to National Water Quality Month. While students are watching their ducks race they will see some trash and debris along the creek bed.” He added, “The event is a launching point for some community service work we will do this semester to help clean up the local watershed. A local business is sponsoring the project and as a result we will be able to make a donation to Wisdom Spring, Inc. who builds wells to provide fresh water to communities in West Africa.”
The Phoenix Alternative Education Program remains committed to promoting environmental awareness and supporting global water access initiatives.
