Bidwell Continuation High School students created quilts and other items for those in need with Snug As A Bug comfort bags. The project not only provides support to youths in difficult situations, but also brings newfound brightness to the school, students and volunteers involved. Photo credit: Courtesy of Nicole Vicknair

At Bidwell High School, student-led efforts to give back to their Antioch community has led to not only support for groups in need, but inspiration for students and their community, too. 

Nicole Vicknair, an English and Leadership teacher at the continuation high school, got her leadership students involved in creating “comfort bags” through her friend, Allison Norris, and Norris’ Snug As A Bug Bags program. The collaboration provides handmade quilts, toys and other items to those in need. This includes donations to youths in hospitals, juvenile halls and organizations like Winter Nights and Shepherd’s Gate.

“Part of this is giving awareness to agencies already helping people and inspiring people to serve and jump in,” Norris said, adding that the goal is to unite her community, which is “bigger than what you think it is.” 

“My community is growing and part of that growth is making people aware of situations and actual people who need our help,” Norris added.

For Vicknair and Norris, Bidwell’s collaboration with the program meant the start of overcoming stigmas and inspiring change.

“One of our goals was to change the perception of continuation high school students because even while the students might believe in themselves at school – which took a lot of work on the faculty and principal and administration’ s part – the perception in the community (is) they didn’t feel valued or seen,” Norris explained. “Like they were less than for going through a continuation high school.”

Isabella Ippolito, one of Vicknair’s students, said creating bracelets, quilts and other items for the program was a positive experience for her.

“What I feel is important is the impact Mrs. Allison (Norris) is making and the help and support she has gotten is results that people are seeing what she is about,”  Ippolito said. “My classmates and I will stand by it, too. 

“My personal experience with Snug As A Bug has been amazing and a great learning experience,” Ippolito continued. “I feel like I got a better experience with teamwork and being open to ideas, and trying out new things with new people was fun.”

Elizabeth Guillen, Ippolito’s mother, said the project also positively influenced her.

“I was excited for her, knowing that she would learn sewing, communication and community help,” Guillen said about her daughter, who helped create a webpage for the program and has learned about having compassion for others.

“I believe that it doesn’t only impact the child who is getting such a beautiful gift from Snug As A Bug, but also a great impact on all the students who are participating in a great organization like Snug As A Bug,” Guillen added. “I believe that it teaches them to see outside their box and understand how fortunate they are and learn to value their life and lifestyle; learn how to care for others in a world where selfishness keeps growing. And learning how to look beyond our media and look truly at everything and everyone that surrounds us.”  

In addition to these changes, the project also brought school board members, district officials and business owners into the classroom. This resulted in important mentorship and scholarship opportunities for some students.

“Working with the students on this project also showed me how resourceful and dedicated our youth are when they feel passionate about what they are working on,” Norris said. 

“That day was pure magic. All the students were buzzing with ideas and eager to lend a hand with the comfort bags.” 

Vicknair’s class has committed to donating 1,000 bags to Norris and to continue helping the program going forward. She also said she’s seen how the experience has impacted the students. 

“I think this project affected everyone involved. Many of the students feel strongly about this project because they know or are related to children struggling with different illnesses or injuries. We even have a student who was gifted a bag as a child and is now eager to help give that gift to other children,” Vicknair said.

“It is empowering for students to give; it is healing and transformative,” she added. “It also helps us get the word out that Bidwell students are amazing, empathetic and compassionate kids, not the “failures” or “bad kids” that movies or rumors might have them believe.”

Vicknair said the partnership created between Liberty, Snug As A Bug Bags and the community has a bigger takeaway for all.

“Our students are learning valuable, real world skills while helping real people in need, many of whom are from our own community,” she said. “We help ourselves, and we help others.” 

*Additional resources: 

EXCLUSIVE: Antioch students sewing quilts, making care bags for kids facing challenges 

Snug as a bug bags 

Cassydee Guinto will be a 12th grader at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg.