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Alleghany County: Teachers Win Bright Ideas Grants from Blue Ridge Energy: Celebrating 30 Years!
Now in its 30th year of helping teachers provide creative learning projects for students, Blue Ridge Energy is awarding $5,398 in Bright Ideas grants to four local Alleghany classrooms.
Bright Ideas is an academic grants program sponsored annually by Blue Ridge Energy. Bright Ideas grants help further traditional academic learning by funding innovative educational projects beyond available school funding.
Blue Ridge Energy has awarded over $649,000 in Bright Ideas classroom grants, impacting over 146,000 local students and teachers. In celebration of its 30th year of Bright Ideas, the cooperative is funding winning grants totaling $30,000 to 30 classrooms this year in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and Wilkes counties.
Alleghany County grant-winning teachers are:
Sherry Maines of Glade Creek Elementary for “Brewing Up Some Learning.” The $1,501 grant will purchase the six-book Harry Potter series for 25 students. The lessons in the series can have a lasting impact, encouraging readers to reflect on their values and actions in the real world.
Kristina Wyatt of Sparta Elementary for “Hands-On Learning to Build Foundations of Reading.” The $1,497 grant will purchase interactive resources designed to enhance literacy instruction and improve literacy skills, leading to fluent, comprehensive readers.
Brandi Hawkins of Sparta Elementary for “Developing Centered Leaders.” This $900 grant will build dynamic education centers that nurture child development in kindergarten classrooms. These centers create enriching environments that meet academic standards and nurture the whole child.
Dana Russell of Piney Creek Elementary for “Powering Futures: Energy & Innovation Lab.” This $1,500 grant will provide middle-grade students access to the Energy and Power Paxton Patterson Lab. The lab supports the development of real-world, career-connected learning experiences that inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, energy, and technology.
“Blue Ridge Energy is proud to be in our 30th year of providing Bright Ideas grants to support our schools and teachers in building brighter futures for our communities,” said Tasha Rountree, director of community relations and economic development for Blue Ridge Energy. “I’m proud that Blue Ridge can help by funding creative classroom projects that bring innovative learning experiences to our students.”
Blue Ridge Energy is part of several North Carolina electric cooperatives that provide Bright Ideas grants. Together, they have provided over $16 million for over 14,700 classroom projects, impacting over 3.65 million students in North Carolina.
Blue Ridge Energy is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 80,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Alexander, and Wilkes counties. To learn more about the Bright Ideas grants program, visit www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com or contact your local Blue Ridge Energy office.
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