By Anne Gibson
In October of 2020, Vail Pride Day seasoned co-chairs Linda Kubiak and Heather Stough began to think about Vail Pride Day 2021. The goal was to continue a program begun 23 years before by the Vail School District. The February program at the Pima County Fairgrounds grew to 15,000 participants last year when it was held at the very beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Conversations with the co-chairs and Vail Pride Day workers have begun, including visits to possible locations. It became apparent that while all the sites had potential under normal conditions, none of the locations would accommodate the Pima County Health Department regulations of social distancing and the 50-person groups.
Ms. Kubiak and Mrs. Stough gathered the members of the Vail Pride Day Committee on Zoom and made it clear there would be a Vail Pride Day in February 2021. It would just look different. Together goals were set. They included valuing all students first and foremost for their achievements, passions, talents, and resiliency and how they are valued where they are right now; appreciating the staff whose herculean efforts were invested into making this school year happen; celebrating partnerships within the community including community members and families connected with students online at home; and always remembering the connection, unity, and sense of belonging that makes up the Vail culture that is fostered with the District and the community.
How do you accomplish this? The solution was with a documentary film. John McNeill, a professional and well-known videographer, joined the committee to develop the documentary. Together it was decided it would be inspiring and acknowledging; contain a historic aspect, and share individual stories told with narratives shown through the lens of the camera.
In addition to the documentary some committee members developed their own innovations. Ben Koss, Art Teacher at Empire High School, and Janet Roby, Art Teacher at Sycamore Elementary School in Corona de Tucson, sponsored an art contest. Ordinarily, the art teachers hung one piece of artwork for every art student at Vail Pride Day. For this year, Janet and Ben along with the district’s other 13 art teachers are developing an art contest under the frame work of “Vail: United through Creativity and Community.” There will be categories by age and school grouping (elementary, middle and high school). The winners in each grouping will receive recognition.
“The creation of art helps young children develop important visual-spacial, socio-emotional, linguistic, and fine motor skills. In art specials lesson units are highly cross-curricular, every project encouraging self expression, while challenging students to think critically, expand their academic vocabularies, problem solve, and experiment with new art techniques, tools and materials. We chose challenging, multi-step projects so students become more confident in taking on large projects- learning how to visualize tasks as achievable components, instead of an overwhelming whole. We encourage attention to detail, pride in craftsmanship, and perseverance. These are all values that can be carried into the students’ core subject classrooms and lead to success in higher education and beyond,” said Sycamore Art Teacher Janet Roby. She continued, “Art is perhaps the most beneficial way to enrich core standards and educate the ‘whole child’. There is not a single art lesson that doesn’t incorporate some element of science, math, social studies, or language arts, and because it is so hands on, and takes a visual approach – students may very well retain a concept or standard better through an art lesson than in their regular classroom setting.”
Brandy Dujmic, Curriculum Coordinator for the Vail School District since 2006, and Shauna Nordling, 9th-12th Grade Special Education Teacher at Vail Academy and High School, have teamed up to meet the challenge of providing a virtual Fun Run. To a theme of “We are Vail. We still RUN this” they will host a Fun Run a couple of weeks before Vail Pride Day where families can walk or run in a Vail Pride Day 5K. Individuals and teams can submit their times and pictures for prizes. One lucky elementary, middle, and high student with the most participation will win a special prize to serve as a substitute teacher for a class period. “More than anything, we want to highlight healthy practices and continue to provide that sense of community in sportsmanship that is Vail,” the ladies said in unison.
Vail Pride Day will look different in 2021, but the same heart for the Vail School District will always be there thanks to Ms. Kubiak and Mrs. Stough and their team.
Whittley “Anne” Gibson is a third generation Tucsonan and alumni of the University of Arizona. She has been an active community member in the greater Vail area since the late 1970s.
