Students Celebrate 'Lights on Afterschool' Event

DULUTH - Duluth students joined more than 9,000 after school programs across the country to celebrate "Lights on Afterschool." Thursday afternoon, hundreds of kids couldn't have asked for a better day to dance, play games, and celebrate with UMD's mascot at Enger Park. The goal is to bring together all of Duluth’s after school and summer programs to recognize how important the programs are to the community. "They are having hands on learning experiences, they're getting the attention of tutors from the local universities," said branch director at the Duluth YMCA, Tracie Klanaugh. Programs involved in Thursday’s event were K.E.Y. Zone, YMCA Afterschool Programs, Myers-Wilkins Community School Collaborative, Valley Youth Center Afterschool programs, and True North AmeriCorps. The mayor's office also proclaimed Oct. 23 Lights on Afterschool day in Duluth. Lights on Afterschool started back in 2001 by former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.