Keystone SMILES Community Learning Center enters the holiday season celebrating both community spirit and meaningful service. November 21, Knox Light Up Night welcomed an estimated 500 residents for a festive parade filled with creative floats, holiday characters, and a joyful grand finale featuring Santa himself. During August through October, AmeriCorps members across the region provided 22,671 hours of focused academic support to 1,325 new students laying a strong foundation for growth through engagement rubrics, baseline assessments, and inspiring moments of student success shared by members throughout our partner schools.
In November's Newsletter
Knox Light Up Night Shines Bright
CLARION COUNTY
The Knox Community Light Up Night drew an estimated 500 residents and visitors to Main Street on November 21, transforming the town into a festive celebration from 6–9 p.m. The evening kicked off with a lively parade featuring 21 creative and spirited entries.
Leading the procession were the Knox Borough Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Police—escorting none other than the Grinch, locked in a mobile jail for his less-than-cheery Christmas spirit. But the holiday hijinks didn’t end there. Upon reaching Main Street, the Grinch made a daring escape, only to be heroically recaptured with the help of the kindergarteners aboard the Grinch Getter float and Officer Merryman.
The parade continued with a dazzling Frozen-themed float, complete with an Ice Queen and preschool ice princesses, followed by Santa’s Sleigh staffed with enthusiastic preschool elves from Keystone SMILES. Adventure Awaits brought festive fun with their float entry, Spiderman made an appearance, and Autism Tough wowed the crowd by towing the Polar Express—real smoke included.
Adding to the spectacle, the Dairy Princesses walked alongside a sparkling milk truck decorated with a giant cookie-and-milk display, while the Marienville Fire Department delighted parade-goers with their Christmas Vacation–themed firetruck featuring Cousin Eddie and the gang. Whitmore Bussing transformed a full-size school bus into a glowing Rudolph, and the ZemZems impressed with their energetic trike performances.
Santa Claus made his grand appearance in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by two steer led by members of American Made 4H, marking a magical finale to the parade.
Afterward, attendees enjoyed an evening filled with free games, crafts, and food courtesy of numerous local organizations and businesses, including Edenburg Presbyterian, the Knox Civic Club, The Pizza Shop, Bekah’s Boutique, the Clarion Rod and Gun Club, Autism Tough, the Knox Masons, Knox Lions Club, Priority First Federal Credit Union, Farmer’s National Bank, the Knox Ambulance, Mac’s Bar and Grill, Rooted Dental, and Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps.
The spectacle of Light Up Night!
Entertainment for the evening was provided by DJ Jumping Joey, with emceeing by Tiki Kahle, Keystone SMILES Board Member and representative of Kahle’s Kubota.
A special thank you goes out to the dedicated planning committee members from the Knox Police Department, Bill’s Service Company, Kahles Kubota, and Keystone SMILES and all who helped bring this cherished community tradition to life
AmeriCorps, Quarter 1 in Statistics
ALL COUNTIES
From August through October 2025, Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps provided 22,671 hours of focused academic support to 1,325 new students across our partner schools and community sites. To measure student engagement, 1,238 participants were assessed using a standardized rubric designed to track motivation, participation, and classroom behaviors. Additionally, 600 students completed pre- assessments in both Math and Literacy, establishing baseline data that will help guide instruction and measure growth throughout the year.
STORIES FROM SERVICE
ERIE COUNTY AMERICORPS MEMBER STORIES
“Watching his confidence grow and his smile shine when he finishes his work has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time in the classroom. His journey is a powerful reminder that connection, patience, and encouragement can make all the difference for a young learner—and that as AmeriCorps members, we grow just as much as the students we serve.”
-Aaron Darold
Fairview Youth AmeriCorps Member
“Through this experience, I’ve learned so much about how a classroom runs and about the balance of teaching, encouraging, and supporting every student. Serving in Mrs. Gruber’s class has shown me how rewarding education can be, and it’s inspired me to consider becoming a teacher myself someday.”
-Nicolas Zona
Girard Youth AmeriCorps Member
“What makes it even more meaningful is knowing that opportunities like this wouldn’t be possible without AmeriCorps. With limited staff and busy classrooms, there simply isn’t always time for this kind of one-on-one support. I’m so thankful to be part of a program that helps make such a difference, especially at such an important stage of learning.”
-Brooke Proper
Girard School District
CRAWFORD COUNTY AMERICORPS MEMBER STORIES
“I have learned that sometimes love is actually all you need to get through to these kids. Teaching these young minds fills me with more purpose than I have ever had before. I am so very excited to see what the rest of this term and future terms will bring.”
-Venus Comerico
Crawford Central School District
CLARION COUNTY AMERICORPS MEMBER STORIES
“…By Friday, the project was complete, and so was our sense of fulfillment. The family was incredibly kind and even baked us cookies as a thank-you. It was a rewarding reminder that our work goes beyond building structures—it’s about building comfort, dignity, and connection in the communities we serve.”
-Amanda Wardell
House of Trades Program
