Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough took some time during February’s Council Meeting presentations to express her love and support of small businesses. But she meant that in a very literal way: the small business owners from the first grade class at First United Methodist Christian School, during their “Roxaboxen” event.
Most children love to play house. But, few of them get the chance to create their very own town—complete with a tiny fire department and colorful shops. These first graders had the chance to do just that by taking over the First United Methodist Christian School courtyard for their annual Roxaboxen event. Each year, students create their own city inspired by the book, “Roxaboxen.” Councilwoman Fairclough had the honor of cutting the ribbon to their town, cleverly named the Town of Roxaboxen.
“This type of initiative is what I consider empowering and positioning,” said Councilwoman Fairclough, “Empowering our young ones to be future leaders and positioning them to pick up the torch, to carry and lead our communities when we can no longer do so.”
Roxaboxen, the book written by Alice McLerran and illustrated by Barbara Cooney, celebrates the imagination of children who, no matter the time or place, can create whole worlds out of what they find around them—in this case, rocks and boxes. The main character, Marian, and her friends find a special place in the desert where they play the games that will prepare them for their grown-up lives.
Councilwoman Fairclough, Chair of the Education Committee and an educator herself, applauded the school’s commitment to fostering imagination and creativity amongst their students. She also had a chance to explore the intricate world created by the children—visiting their small businesses like Robert is Here and Kasey’s Toys for Girls and Boys; as well as their Town officials, like the Sheriff and the Mayor of Roxaboxen!
The small businesses, and their owners, that comprise the Town of Roxaboxen are: Sofia Arenas - US Recruitment Office, Kimber Aviles- Kimber's Barnyard, Kadence Caraisco-Kadence's Beautiful Flower Shop, Ashley Castillo- Ashley's Latte, Jack Collins- Jack's School of Basketball, Gianna DeBaise- Gianna's Salon & Spa, Dustin Gerry - Mayor of Roxaboxen, Hudson Gilbert- Hudson's Grocery, Aiden Gonzalez- Aiden's Fire Station, Sophia Iparraguirre - Sophia's Sweet Ice Cream, Genesis Jenkins- Genesis' Sparkle Twinkle Store, Grace Largent - Gracie's Airlines, Rhianna Leon- Graybar Jail, Damian Mancha- Damian's Bank of Money, Jackson Moehling- Robert Is Here, Landyn Munz - Redland Construction Company, Ronny Nguyen - Ronny's Public Library, Nicolas Nuñez – Hospital, Zavier Regalado-Little White Church of Roxaboxen, Ella-Marie Robles-Ella's Candyland, Kasey Sapp-Kasey's Toys for Girls & Boys, Gavin Smith-Gavin's Garage, Sophia Steen- Teeny Tiny Pets , Cody Thermes- Cheese Please Pizza Palace, Amari Wilson- Amari's Amazing Bakery and Gavin Yuhr- Bait & Crate.
