Thanks to a successful community partnership between the Horizons Atlanta summer education program, the Mary Frances Early College of Education at the University of Georgia, and the Clarke County School District, 30 students from Barnett Shoals Elementary School had the opportunity this summer to improve their academic performance and physical fitness and experience more cultural enrichment activities. And on Thursday, July 21, the students and their families had the chance to welcome a pair of special guests who came to see the program in action.

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona visited Athens on Thursday to meet with the students, program leaders, school and university officials, and families. Their visit was part of a series of stops across the country highlighting programs supported by President Biden’s coronavirus relief program, which provided federal funding to help schools address academic and mental health deficits created by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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