Contributed commentary by Kimberly McClintock:

My name is Kimberly and I am an Army veteran who is a single mom of two 6th grade virtual students through the CMCSS K-12 here in Montgomery County. As a parent I chose to keep my boys in because my oldest is on the spectrum and Virtual School is such an awesome atmosphere all around for him. Less distractions, teachers are able to help one-on-one, and bullying is nonexistent.

Last April, I had asked the teachers if there is a way we can do functions or meet-ups so our kids can have that social interaction. I was informed that a parent would have to volunteer, pick a date and time, also an area, and they would post the information through Class Dojo. I had volunteered myself because as a parent/mentor, I also needed that social interaction and support just as much as our children/students needed.

I decided to do a fall festival for our 6th grade virtual students because we don’t have the same access as traditional students have here. I chose to host this event in my backyard, but didn’t realize how many 6th grade virtual students we have. After sending the flier to the teachers who had sent them to the parents, I had a lot of responses which I might have up to a 100 people attending. So I decided to go downtown to ask our small local businesses here in Clarksville, walking up and down the streets asking businesses for donations so these students can be able to win prizes because I couldn’t afford it all on my own.

Honestly, doing it by myself on a fixed income is pretty hard, but to me our students are the ones who sacrifice a lot. I feel like a lot of people forget about students who are virtual. I just want to say thank you for all those businesses who have donated to my event. Some of these business are small owned and local. … I am so thankful that every student will be getting a prize.

The donors included: Miss Lucille’s, Fatima Bryant (virtual mom), Lifepoint Church, Jennifer Lasalle (virtual mom), Thirsty Goat, Sara Murphy (virtual mom), Sadie’s Country Store, Paige Arnold (virtual mom), Customs House Museum and Cultural Center, Courtney’s Creative Palette, City Forum, River City Clay, And Vinyl Records, Golly G’s, Tita Boba, The Szkool House (photographer for photo booth and personalized stickers), Fanelli’s, Mildred & Mables, E&J 3d Printing, The Mailroom, D&D Blacklight Mini Golf, Olive Garden, Magic Wheels, Chili’s, Nashville Symphony, Sam’s Club, Defy, Applebee’s, Starbucks and Sango Florist.

Kimberly McClintock