Back-to-school season in Cape Girardeau is off to a heartwarming start, thanks to an annual backpack giveaway that ensures every student is ready to hit the books with a smile.
On the eve of the first day of school, Cape Central Junior High cheerleaders filled hundreds of backpacks for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Each bag was packed with all the essentials, rulers, notebooks, crayons, paper, pencil boxes, and more, ready to greet students on Tuesday, August 19.
For cheerleader Shelby Matukewicz, giving back is just part of the team’s spirit.
“The cheer team loves to help out with the community because our community does so much for us with like sponsoring our seasons and everything, so this is just a small act of kindness that we can do to give back to our community,” she said.
Her teammate Holli Whitaker added how much the program has grown over the years.
“I love to see how kids are not embarrassed to ask for backpacks anymore and how it’s so much nicer for just everybody to have what they need,” she said.
School District Social Worker Carolyn Thomas highlighted the program’s bigger purpose.
“It means a lot to us because that’s what Cape Public School is all about. We’re all about helping our students and our families to succeed and to be able to be here in attendance, and whatever that takes. That’s what a public school tries to do to meet those needs,” she said.
This year, more than 500 families signed up for the giveaway, a record that underscores the program’s impact. Thomas also thanked the community for donating supplies, funds, and time, giving a special shout-out to the cheerleaders for bringing their trademark energy year after year.
The Cape Girardeau Public Schools summed it up perfectly in a Facebook post:
“Every student will start on day one with the supplies they need to be successful thanks to the support of our incredible community partners! Our community always meets the needs of our students!”
With backpacks in hand and cheerleaders’ smiles leading the way, Cape Girardeau students are stepping into the new school year ready, confident, and supported, the best kind of back-to-school boost.
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