Roan Impact Focus

Scholars selected ‘Sustainability in Appalachia’ as this year’s Roan Impact Focus. Throughout the year, they committed to learning and serving in connection with the topic. Here are some of the incredible things they did over the course of the year.

Blazing New Paths:

Roan Impact Focus

The Importance of Honeybees

September 2020

Larissa Copley Warwick ’21

coordinated with Steering Committee member Mark Kinser to organize small group tours of Mr. Kinser’s beehives. Scholars learned about honeybees and their critical role in the environment, got an up-close look at a few active hives, and enjoyed sampling some honey.

Watauga Lake Clean-Up

September 2020 Jordan Teague ’22 and Ronquille Joyner ’24 spent a beautiful fall Saturday participating in Watauga Lake cleanup efforts, including collecting trash. “I grew up on this lake as a kid and love what Watauga Lake Cleanup is accomplishing. It’s not just a one-month or a one-day event. It’s a year-round lifestyle of loving the environment and shaping your actions around it,” said Jordan.

Leadership in Action with Appalachian Sustainable Development

September 2020 Larissa Copley Warwick ’21 organized a virtual ‘Leadership in Action’ event for Scholars to learn about the work of Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD). ASD’s mission is to transition Appalachia to a more resilient economy and a healthier population by supporting local agriculture, exploring new economic opportunities, and connecting people to healthy food.

Scholars have selected ‘COVID-19 Recovery’ as the AY 2021-2022 Roan Impact Focus. Watch for updates throughout the year as to how Roan Scholars learn and serve around this topic.

Trail Maintenance with the East Tennessee Trail Association

October 2020 Cadee Warren ’24 recruited Scholars and partnered with the East Tennessee Trail Association for a day of service. The group performed trail maintenance on the Turkey Pen Cove Trail in the Cherokee National Forest, including cutting logs, cleaning fallen branches and other debris, creating water diversions, and moving rocks to make creeks easier to cross. The Scholars also spent time talking with U.S. Forest Service representatives and learning about environmental legislation aimed at protecting the forest.

Bristol Clothes Closet

October 2020 Emily Casteel ’24 and Nelya Stynka ’23 volunteered with the Clothes Closet in Bristol, a free clothes closet for anyone in need, where they sorted and organized donations. “It was a great way to see what types of resources are available in our region,” says Nelya. In exchange for their work, they also received old clothing that Emily recycled into dog toys (more on that below).

Jonesborough Arboretum Service

October 2020 Ronquille Joyner ’24 organized a cleanup day at the Ardinna Woods Arboretum and Butterfly Garden in Jonesborough. He was joined by several Roan Scholars in raking, clearing brush, and sprucing up this wonderful spot near downtown Jonesborough. Working at the Arboretum “left me with a deep gratitude for the volunteers who keep it beautiful,” said Ronquille.

Living Room Conversation on the Environment

October 2020 Roan Scholars, Alumni, and Steering Committee members joined together virtually for a Roan Living Room Conversation on the environment and pollution. Living Room Conversations is a national non-profit that that seeks to revitalize civil discourse through conversation.

Seed Bombs for Good

November 2020 Cade Campbell ’24 organized a workshop for Scholars to learn about and make seed bombs - balls of compost, clay, and seeds that can be launched into difficult-to-access areas to introduce native plants. Scholars also participated in a tour featuring the successful reintroduction of native wildflowers at Jacob’s Nature Park and forest habitats along Sinking Creek in Johnson City.

Wands for Wildlife

Fall 2020 Addie Fairchild ’22 and Casey Bonnell ’22 collected used mascara wands for Wands for Wildlife, a non-profit that inspires people to help wildlife and the environment through re-purposing discarded mascara wands for art, education and caring for wildlife.

‘Memories Over Materials’ Workshop

December 2020 Olivia Bostic ’23, KeiAndra Harper ’23, and Lily Edwards ’22 organized a workshop for Roan Scholars and Alumni on ways to celebrate the holidays more sustainably. Heather Cook ’04 was so inspired by the workshop that she discussed it during an appearance later that month on WJHL.

Soles 4 Soles

January 2021 Old denim was given new life at a “shoe party” hosted by Nelya Stynka ’23. Scholars cut the denim into shoe patterns to be sent to Uganda; there women will turn the fabric into shoes, providing employment and creating shoes that will prevent painful foot infections. Nelya carried out the project in coordination with Sole Hope, a non-profit organization that offers hope, healthier lives, and freedom from foot-related diseases through education, jobs, and medical relief.

Camp Bays Mountain Clean-Up

March 2021 Sally Chikomb ’24 rallied Scholars on a beautiful spring day for a clean-up day at Camp Bays Mountain in Kingsport, TN. Joined by Connor McClelland ’21, Cierra Linka Cross ’21, Olivia Bostic ’23, and Cade Campbell ’24, the team removed fallen trees and cleared miles of hiking paths to ready them for spring use.

Recycled Dog Toys

Spring 2021 Throughout the spring, Emily Casteel ’24 taught Scholars how to transform worn, discarded clothing into dog toys. In April, Scholars delivered the finished toys to The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Shelter in Blountville, TN.

From Plastic Bags to Plarn

April 2021 Clara Reynolds ’22 collected plastic bags and taught Scholars how to turn them into “plarn” – plastic yarn that can be woven like yarn, including to make waterproof sleeping mats. Clara also used plarn scraps to make stuffed animals that she is donating to a children’s home in the Dominican Republic.

Sustainability Education and Climate Action

April 2021 Sam Garcia ’23 organized a virtual talk with Dr. Lee Ball, Chief Sustainability Officer for Appalachian State University. Dr. Ball spoke on “Sustainability Education and Climate Action: A Holistic Approach to Campus Sustainability.” Sam discovered Dr. Ball’s work through a podcast on sustainability.

‘Sustainability in Healthcare’ Discussion

April 2021 Addie Fairchild ’22 and Casey Bonnell ’22, both Nursing majors, hosted a discussion on sustainability in healthcare and efforts to make the profession greener.

Bike Workshops for the Boys and Girls Club

April 2021 Ronquille Joyner ’24 and Keaton Smith ’24 organized a series of events for the Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City / Washington County to talk with kids about biking as a sustainable practice - and they even taught the kids how to perform a bit of bike maintenance! They were joined by several Scholars who supported the event.