Just south of the Virginia-North Carolina state border, Alleghany County is nestled amid idyllic mountains, only a few miles from the only roadway to be designated a U.S. national park: the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thousands of tourists pass through Alleghany County each year to glimpse its spectacular vistas. The area’s breathtaking beauty, however, belies a tragic truth: In these hollows, slopes, and verdant valleys reside some of the nation’s poorest families. For many here, the only accessible sources of income are tenant farming, farm labor, or jobs in textile mills and shoe factories, when they are available. Years of isolation and a widespread lack of education have left area residents with few marketable job skills and little awareness of the world beyond their communities.

With unemployment on the rise and little industry to speak of, many families in this rural area live well below the federal poverty line. This overwhelming poverty has debilitating effects on children of the region, affecting their self-esteem, health, and overall wellbeing. For this reason, Piney Creek Elementary School serves as a beacon of hope to its surrounding community, providing a nurturing environment and a well-rounded education – the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and helping children rise above the difficult circumstances from which they come.