Blackstone Valley Education Foundation Showcases a Month of Innovation and Impact Across the Valley

The Blackstone Valley Education Foundation (BVEF) concluded an event-filled month of May with a series of initiatives that highlight its commitment to real-world learning, student voice, and career-connected education. From the return of Arts in the Valley to Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy Culmination and STEM Unfiltered, the Foundation’s work this month demonstrated the power of connection, creativity, and future-focused learning.

Arts in the Valley

Held May 17–18 at Sutton Elementary School, Arts in the Valley continued its tradition as a cornerstone of arts celebration in the region. This year’s student art showcase reaffirmed the critical role of the arts in building future-ready skills like problem-solving, creative expression, and design thinking. The event honored the dedication of local art educators and created space for community members to celebrate student creativity in a meaningful, accessible way.

Looking ahead, Arts in the Valley will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026 — a major milestone for a program that continues to evolve and inspire. BVEF is also proud to announce a new partnership with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, which will bring local artists directly into classrooms across the Valley, further expanding access to creative industry pathways and interdisciplinary learning.

STEM Unfiltered

May's STEM Unfiltered session, held in partnership with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, gave students a rare opportunity to hear unfiltered stories from STEM professionals across diverse fields. In an open dialogue format, speakers shared the challenges and pivots behind their career journeys, helping students understand that success in STEM comes through persistence, self-discovery, and continuous learning. The event serves as a platform for career-connected learning and authentic student engagement.

BVYLA Culmination: Student Leaders Drive Change Across the Valley

The Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy (BVYLA) wrapped its six-month program this May, recognizing cohorts of both high school and, for the first time, middle school students who explored leadership through direct engagement with local business and civic leaders — including Access TCA, Senator Michael O. Moore, Omni Control Technology, Gaudette Insurance, UniBank, OpenSky, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts and others.

As a capstone, students launched service projects that addressed needs across the Valley — from organizing food and clothing drives to hosting fundraisers and launching sustainability campaigns. Their work not only reflected core leadership values but left a tangible impact on schools and communities.

“The most valuable thing I learned in this session was the importance of remembering just who you are and how to work with others… Talking through things is a key component in leadership skills that I can see myself applying,” said Paige, Grade 10.

To learn more or to get involved, visit www.bveducationfoundation.org.