By Brianna Saylor, News Editor
Originally Published April 9, 2024
The Fred Rogers Institute hosted its first-ever community open house on Tuesday, March 12, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m in the Fred Rogers Center. Student and faculty members close to the Institute expressed gratitude for being part of this growing community, getting to know their neighbors, and sharing resources and opportunities. This event was the perfect occasion for the community to learn about the opportunities and resources available through the Institute while celebrating Fred and his legacy during his birthday month.
The event featured many exciting things for attendees to enjoy, including a basket raffle that featured many local businesses, the chance to meet Chili the Mini Horse from Chili Pepper Mini Horse Therapy, a pop-up exploration that features items from the Fred Rogers Archive, trolley cookies, and a special Fred-inspired exhibit in the McCarl Coverlet Gallery.
Additionally, the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve had nature items on display for children and families to explore. Fred Rogers Scholars led puppet making and other activities during the event. Members from the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, WQED, and the Latrobe Art Center also joined for in event and all brought items to accompany their respective tables for families and educators to enjoy. Finally, David Newell—aka Mr. McFeely on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood—was in attendance and took photos with students and members of the community.
While many in attendance found the festivities quite enjoyable, the gathering was especially meaningful to Matthew Boyer, junior political science major at SVC. In reflecting on what this event meant to him, Boyer explained that he met his childhood idol, Mr. McFeely, nearly fourteen years ago in Kane, PA, and met him again at SVC this past week, as he proudly wore his red cardigan in memory of his other idol.
Boyer commented on the event, explaining that it really gave people the opportunity to see what Fred really set out to accomplish for his community and seeing how it all came together through this one made and the vision he had was truly inspiring. Prior to his studies at SVC, Boyer did not know about the Fred Rogers Institute, however, his relationship to Rogers has only been further furnished by his time at SVC.
“Growing up during a time when Mr. Rogers was still being aired on television and then turning to the point where I am in my life right now, it’s incredible to realize just how much the entire legacy for Rogers and his message has been something that I have drawn a lot of inspiration from my entire life,” Boyer said.
Boyer further explained that even as a politics major, Rogers messages still resonates with him. Specifically, the fact that everyone is human, everyone can be loved–and that the Institute is where Rogers’ legacy lives. Rogers lived by a three-digit number–the numerical way to say I love you and Boyer felt this illustrated the fact that every person is special in their own way.
“Not everyone is going to fit in the mold of society, and I greatly see myself as someone who is like that, someone who may not be the most popular but could nonetheless go out and do extraordinary things because when you do it with love, you start to see the world in the most beautiful of ways,” Boyer said.
For him, it comes down to looking at how we are as a society.
“We are innately a being that needs love to survive, and we live in a time that, now more than ever, needs that love that Rogers championed. We need to find new ways within society, within our classrooms to make sure that his messages continues and that even though Fred is gone, his legacy will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come,” Boyer said.
The mission has only begun, and it is up to us to make sure we continue to make it a snappy new day, every day in the neighborhood.
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