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Area Schoolchildren, Family Members Turn Out for WAIN Back-to-School Pool Party at Lindsey Wilson University Holloway Health & Wellness Center

Swimming, pizza, haircuts and health tips are part of annual event that prepares children for start of 2025-26 school year.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (08/10/2025) — Jonathan Cross knew what his family was going to do Saturday afternoon as soon as his children heard the word "swimming pool" associated with the WAIN Back-to-School Pool Party.

Cross and his wife, Kim, brought their children Lexi, 14, Jaden, 13, Skylar, 10, and Jackson, 6, to the Lindsey Wilson University Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center for the annual WAIN Back-to-School Pool Party.

"They love the pool," said Cross. "We've been here before for basketball games, but we've never been here to swim. When the kids heard that the pool was going to be open for this, they wanted to come and swim."

The three-hour free event held on Saturday, Aug. 9, attracted more than 200 area schoolchildren and their family members so they could also swim in the pools, as well as prepare for and celebrate the start of the 2025-26 school year.

In addition to WAIN, the event's corporate sponsors included JL Gate, T.J. Regional Health and Franklin Nissan.

"We have such an amazing community that is always willing to help our schools," said Lindsey Wilson Director of Campus Recreation Tori Starks, who was involved with the event for the third consecutive year. "It's wonderful to have this opportunity to support members of the community and let them see what the Holloway Health & Wellness Center is all about -- and it's also a great way for them to kick off the school year."

Starks said this year's back-to-school event focused on resources -- both educational and personal. She said that the annual event, whose origins date to before the COVID-19 pandemic, is "usually our last big event before the Lindsey Wilson school year gets underway." Adair County schools start on Aug. 13, and this year's Lindsey Wilson school year begins on Aug. 25.

Saturday afternoon was certainly a big event for the area schoolchildren and their family members who accompanied them. In addition to the free swim in the Holloway Health & Wellness Center's olympic-size pool, recreation pool and 40-person hot tub, students could play games on the basketball courts; receive a free haircut from area barbers and beauticians; vaccinations from the Lake Cumberland District Health Department; school supplies from area non-profit organizations and churches; eat free pizza; and collect giveaways.

Guests also received tips from area experts about measures they can take to enjoy a healthy school year. One of those experts who offered health advice and educational materials was Lake Cumberland District Health Department Health Educator Keila K. Sullivan.

Sullivan handed out several different giveaways that warned students about the dangers of vaping.

"Anytime you can educate the public on health issues, that's a big deal," Sullivan said. "People can see a poster about vaping, but when you actually talk to someone one-on-one, that can be more effective because it is more personal and they know that someone cares about them."

Another health professional who showed her care for area schoolchildren was Dr. Andrea N. Owens '09 of Owens Family Dentistry & Aesthetics. The Lindsey Wilson alumna, along with joined by Expanded Duties Dental Assistant Gracie Baker, handed out free dental hygiene items from their office as a way to encourage children and family members to practice good oral health habits.

"It was important for our office to be here because I wanted to give back to the community where I had the opportunity to earn my college degree," said Owens, who grew up in nearby Casey County, Kentucky.

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

WAIN account executive Adelyn Bennett attaches a swim bracelet to Lexi Cross, 14, of Columbia as she checks into the WAIN Back-to-School Pool Party on Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Lindsey Wilson University Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center. Lexi will be an eighth-grader this fall at Adair County Middle School.

Lake Cumberland District Health Department Health Educator Keila K. Sullivan hands a giveaway item to Spencer Ranch, 5, of Columbia and his mother, Rei, looks on at the WAIN Back-to-School Pool Party on Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Lindsey Wilson University Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center. Spencer will be in kindergarten this fall at Adair County Primary Center.

Dr. Andrea N. Owens ’09, right, and Expanded Duties Dental Assistant Gracie Baker of Owens Family Dentistry & Aesthetics greet guests at the WAIN Back-to-School Pool Party on Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Lindsey Wilson University Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center.

Alexis Shepperson, 12, of Columbia is ready for her haircut from Shannon Greer of Monique’s Beauty Salon at the WAIN Back-to-School Pool Party on Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Lindsey Wilson University Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center. Alexis will be a seventh-grader this fall at Adair County Middle School.

Adair County High School rising junior Abby Maulden paints an image on the face of Charles Walden, 6, of Columbia at the WAIN Back-to-School Pool Party on Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Lindsey Wilson University Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center. Abby is a member of the Adair County chapter of Future Farmers of America, and Charles will be in the first grade this fall at Adair County Primary Center.

Area schoolchildren and their family members enjoy the 40-person hot tub and recreational pool in the Holloway Natatorium at the WAIN Back-to-School Pool Party on Saturday, Aug. 9, in the Lindsey Wilson University Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center.

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