Education Foundation awards grants

Mar. 8—LENOIR — Students and teachers were the focus of The Education Foundation, Inc. of Caldwell County's Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, March 8.

The Foundation started its meeting by recognizing student achievement through presenting Wendy Dayana Hernandez, a senior with Hibriten High School, the Kenneth Roberts Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

Hernandez's hopes to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

For Hernandez, choosing a path after high school is not a clear-cut decision. She is considering attending University of North Carolina (UNC), Wilmington, or the University South Carolina (USC) Upstate. She has also considered joining the military.

"Deciding which path has been difficult — I'm willing to do what it takes to get to the goal," said Hernandez, talking about choosing a route to pursue. "As long as I know I am helping people around me and the community — and stopping bad guys — that would be great."

The Foundation's mission is to support teachers and strengthen the educational experiences for students. One way the Foundation carries out this mission is through awarding grants to teachers to help them get the materials to bring their ideas to life.

Terri Garrou, vice president of grants and scholarships of the Education Foundation, Inc., presented the "Community Education Grants Spring '22" awards to the teachers.

The grants will enable teachers to build cities, generate electricity to sustain an eco-friendly environment in which to grow fresh produce, help students build life skills, and offer students a soothing reprieve.

Kasey Gragg, teacher, and Adrienne Dula, principal, Gamewell Elementary School, were presented a grant to bring their "Itty Bitty Bulldog City" to life. The $1,000 grant will be used to design an interactive mock community, which will include stores. Each classroom will have between two to three interactive stores where students can practice being both consumers and workers.

Tammy Taylor, exceptional education teacher, Gamewell Middle School, received a grant of $1,668.16 to create a Life Skills Center for her students. The Life Skills Center will feature an interactive supermarket, a mini kitchen, a microwave, and portable washer and dryer. Students will learn life skills, including food preparation and managing the routine tasks of a household.

"It's to help them become as independent as possible," said Taylor about her goal of offering real-life experiences to her students that will develop independent living life skills.

Wendy Kyro, exceptional education teacher, Hudson Elementary School, was awarded $713.95 for her "Sensory Makes Sense" project. The grant will be used to design an area especially designed to soothe students who are struggling with sensory perception issues. It will help students who struggle with autism to regulate their emotions and stay calm.

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David Brotherton, middle school teacher, Hudson Middle School, was awarded $727 for his "Power in the House!" project. The award will be used for solar panels for a greenhouse. Eighth grade students will set up the panels, the inverter that comprises the solar powered system.

"Our goal is to use zero net energy to power the greenhouse." said Brotherton.

Eighth grade students will monitor the panels and collect data on input and output and evaluate the conversion of direct current (DC) to alternating (AC) power. Students will also be able to consume the healthy plants that are grown in the greenhouse, which use the solar panels.

"Our students and community will benefit from this generous grant from the Education Foundation, Inc. of Caldwell County." said Brotherton on receiving grant. "It's a project that students can come back to and show their kids."

Because Brotherton teaches across grade levels, the grant benefits students in all three middle school grades.

Beth Woodward, South Caldwell High School, was awarded $2,000 to support the production of "Seussical, Jr."

"I am so excited to do a full-fledged production with people coming to see us," said Woodward on accepting the grant. "Thank you to the Education Foundation for supporting arts in Caldwell County."

Woodward says that she has been working with students to build stamina. The students will need stamina to perform the song and dance musical that will focus on the story of "Horton Hears a Who!"

Woodward described the play as a whimsical musical with important themes including responsibility, perseverance, and courage.

South Caldwell's production of "Seussical, Jr." will run from Thursday, May 5 through Sunday, May 8, 2022.

The Education Foundation, Inc. of Caldwell County is currently selling tickets to "Kaleidoscope," its annual showcase of student talent and art.

"Kaleidoscope" will be held Saturday, March 26 at 7 p.m. at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir. Tickets cost $5. To find out more information, visit https://www.caldwelleducationfoundation.com/