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Alleghany Teachers Awarded Bright Ideas Grants
Alleghany Winners
(l-r): Amanda Hipp, Sparta Elementary; Bryan Edwards, Blue Ridge Energy Board of Directors; Sherry Maines and Tonya Richardson, Glade Creek Elementary; John Evans, Alleghany District and Operations Manager; Danny Jones, Sparta Elementary; and Johnny Wishon, Vice President, Blue Ridge Energy Board of Directors
Exciting, hands-on learning projects are coming to three local Alleghany classrooms thanks to $5,219 in Bright Ideas grants awarded recently by Blue Ridge Energy to local educators during a special luncheon celebration honoring winning teachers and their schools.
Bright Ideas is an academic grants program sponsored annually by Blue Ridge Energy. Bright Ideas grants help further traditional academic learning by funding innovative scholastic projects that go beyond available school funding.
To date, Blue Ridge Energy has awarded more than $619,000 in Bright Ideas classroom grants impacting over 114,000 local students and teachers. This year, the cooperative is funding winning grants totaling $25,578 to 21 classrooms in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, and Avery counties.
Alleghany County grant-winning teachers are:
Sherry Maines of Glade Creek Elementary for “All Fired Up for Creativity.” The $2,000 grant will purchase clay for pottery. Working with clay will aid sensory development, motor skills, self-esteem, self-expression, problem-solving skills, and discipline. Students will understand the importance of the preservation of the arts and crafts of the Appalachian region.
Danny Jones of Sparta Elementary for “Fishing Pole-Fishing Class.” The grant for $1,288 will fund an afternoon fishing class where students can create a custom fly-fishing pole, hand-tie flies and learn how to use them together to enjoy fishing.
Amanda Hipp of Sparta Elementary for “Reimagining the Book Nook.” This $1,931 grant will transform the current book nook into an inviting area that draws the students in, engages their imagination, and sparks a love of reading.
“Blue Ridge Energy supports our schools and teachers to build brighter futures for our communities,” said Tasha Rountree, director of community relations 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 providing Bright Ideas grants. Together, they have provided more than $15 million for over 14,200 classroom projects impacting over 2.5 million students in North Carolina.
Blue Ridge Energy is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 78,000 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.