Paint, bubbles and smiles signal new school year

Photos by Bobbie Willard

High Country UCC offered a palette of colors at the 2025 Back to School Festival, painting faces, prompting smiles and introducing itself as a partner in the community. Elizabeth Buchanan, educator in the system, sounded praises and thanksgiving to the congregation for the church’s participation as a sponsor of the event, echoing some positive benefits of the events inviting welcome into a new school year. Faces of students not only offered a canvass for artistic expression, but a story board of expressive exchanges.

Check out Watauga Democrat 8-12-25 story, with some great photos.