Wiscasset’s students from pre-k to grade eight are once again “Set for Success” for the coming school year thanks to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, community-minded businesses and many volunteers. Sunday’s event at Wiscasset Community Center marked the fifth year backpacks, pencils, pens, notebooks, crayons, glue sticks, scissors and more were given away to students. Along with stocking up on school supplies, elementary school students could meet their new principal, Amy Bayha.

After registering in the front lobby, students and their parents or guardians made their way into the gym where dozens of tables brimming with colorful school supplies lined the floor. Along with filling their backpacks with supplies, children could pick out a free book donated by Partners In Education (PIE), and could get a free haircut from Edie’s Hair Salon of West Bath and look their best for the first day of school, Tuesday, Sept. 5. Lunch was provided in the parking area by Healthy Lincoln County.

This year, the event was expanded to include sixth, seventh and eight graders; Wiscasset homeschoolers are eligible to participate, too, and several did. Gretchen Burleigh-Johnson, who has been involved with Set For Success, Feed Our Scholars since their beginnings, thinks of the August gathering as a community celebration. “That’s our goal,” she said while directing parents and children who were making their way around the gym. Along with providing school supplies, the event included informational tables from a number of community providers.

Jodi Hardwick of the school committee said she was coordinating 45 volunteers working this year’s event including her son Baxter who was busy handing out ice pops. Her husband Kevin was volunteering, too. Like Burleigh-Johnson, Hardwick has been involved in all five events. “I think this one is definitely our biggest one so far and we’re really pleased the community center was willing to let us hold it here.” Past Set For Success events were held in the elementary school’s gym on Federal Street.

Helping give away school supplies was Jason Putnam, school committee chair. “It’s my first time manning a table and I’m loving it. It’s really great to see such a big turnout like this. It’s more than just backpacks and supplies, there’s lots of community organizations taking part, too.”

Among the most popular tables was Chewonki Foundation’s Traveling Natural History display where Kyle Wonser, a science educator, would place a live Annam insect on his forearm. Better known as a “walking stick,” this four-inch long critter was a female and had come from Vietnam, Wonser said. On the other side of the gym, Felicia Russell, a stylist from Edie’s Hair Salon of West Bath, was busy giving haircuts including one to Mack Bragdon, grandson of Wiscasset’s Fred and Sara Bragdon.

Outdoors, children could see the workings of a school bus, police cruiser and fire truck. Jonathan Barnes, school resource officer, was there to answer questions. A bagged lunch was offered by Healthy Lincoln County’s traveling food van.

Set For Success, Feed Our Scholars thanks everyone who helped make Sunday’s event a success including all those donating funds and school supplies. Learn more at https://feedourscholars.wordpress.com, or the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WiscassetFeedOurScholars/, or call St. Philip’s at 882-7184, leaving a brief message with your name and number.