RIVERSIDE, Calif.–Karena Zermeno, an Altura Credit Union employee, dressed as Snow White recently to welcome students of the Moreno Valley Unified School District back to school in a “First Day of School Celebration.”
Zermeno, a business development officer for Altura, was one of numerous volunteers who donned costumes to ease the anxiety that some kids feel on the first day of a new school year.
“This is my fourth year volunteering at Honey Hallow Elementary for this event,” Zermeno said. “You can see the young students approaching the school entrance looking a little scared. It instantly changes to a smile once they see Snow White and the other characters waiting to greet them.” She also handed out color-changing pencils from Altura to all the kids.
At right, Altura Credit Union Business Development Officer Karena Zermeno as Snow White, with Honey Hallow Elementary School Principal Joshua Jackson on the first day of school in the Moreno Valley Unified School District, Riverside, Calif.