Be Well. Be Wild. A Look at South Bay's Community Wellness Event

Last week at Scholarship Prep South Bay, the campus looked a little different than usual. Carnival games lined the grounds, jumpers were packed with Scholars, and more than 500 students and family members filled the space with energy, laughter, and community.

The Be Well! Be Wild! event was built around a simple idea: that wellness looks different for every Scholar, and that the right partners can help a school bring it to life.

Scholars rotated through calming crafts, a mobile STEM lab, raffles, and opportunities to connect with community resources. ARC, Scholarship Prep's after-school program provider, kept everyone fueled by providing food for the event.

One of the afternoon's most meaningful moments came from the presence of UCI THRIVE Lab, a research lab at UC Irvine that studies the connection between close relationships and health. Jenny Fontang was on campus representing the lab, whose work with Scholarship Prep goes beyond a single event. As a true community partner, UCI THRIVE Lab is invested in understanding what supports Scholars and families at the deepest level, and that ongoing relationship is one we're proud of.

The Los Angeles Sparks also hosted a showcase and awards ceremony for Scholars in the Jr. and Tiny Sparks after-school basketball programs, recognizing exceptional dedication and congratulating Scholars who earned a spot on the 6th-8th-grade summer basketball team.

Scholarship Prep South Bay was also honored to welcome Sharnell Blevins, Senior Director of Engagement & Partnerships, representing LAUSD Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin.

This is what a community school looks like in practice: researchers, athletes, educators, and families, all showing up for kids in the same place, on the same afternoon.

South Bay has two more weeks to go. They're finishing strong.