Cody Marshall, sophomore musical theather major, created the partnership through the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement to match his gifts and community needs.
Musical theater major Cody Marshall ’19 has partnered with the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Alamance County to offer performing arts opportunities to children in the community.
Each Friday afternoon, Marshall and a group of fellow musical theater majors teach songs and dances or play theater games with elementary school children enrolled in after-school programs. In starting this collaboration Marshall states, “I wanted to give back in some way. It seemed to make the most sense to do something in performing arts.”
Marshall began this process to spark an early interest in performing arts for young children. He says, “I didn’t get interested in musical theater until late middle school. If I can get kids interested in musical theater now, it would be very constructive and something for them to look forward to.”
Marshall was connected to the Boys and Girls Club through the Kernodle Center for Student Service Learning and Community Engagement. Assistant Dean of Students and Kernodle Center Director Mary Morrison helped Marshall identify a pathway to community engagement that fits his gifts and the needs of the local community. This connection allowed him to dive into the community and engage in a mutually beneficial partnership for both the student volunteers and the children in the Boys and Girls Club.
Marshall says the most rewarding aspect of the service project is the reactions of the kids they work with. “The kids really look forward to it,” he said. “They ask us every time if and when we are coming back.”