Polk County School’s 21st CCLC PEAK After School Program received the 2025 21st CCLC Best Practice Spotlight Outstanding Contribution Award at the annual conference July 29 in Flat Rock.
The program was recognized for innovative and engaging student activities and community and parental engagement during the 2024-2025 school year. The award ceremony took place at the 21st CCLC Conference Spotlight Social, hosted at Blue Ridge Community College in support of the Western North Carolina community following Hurricane Helene. The conference is typically held in Greensboro.
The award highlighted the program’s close relationship with school day operations and its dedication to personalized academic support structures. Judges recognized the one-on-one support provided to Saluda Elementary after school students through the C4C volunteer program overseen by Elizabeth Taylor. The program also features certified school day teachers who dedicate time to the after school program to enhance academic instruction.
The PEAK After School program received additional recognition for supporting AdventHealth Polk employees during Hurricane Helene by providing 12 hours of daily childcare. This allowed hospital staff to continue serving the community despite power outages and childcare facility closures caused by the storm.
The program operates across multiple sites under the leadership of site directors Marcia Collins at Polk County Elementary School, Kristen Korzelius at Polk County High School, Markiesha Jackson at Polk County Middle School, Edie Harris at Saluda Elementary, Leah Foster at Sunny View Elementary and Wendi Owens at Tryon Elementary School.
The program also works with community partners including Champions for Wildlife, 4H, KidSenses, Aspire Youth and Families and Saluda Sister City, along with support from district and school day staff, group leaders, assistant site directors and tutors.
