Blue Ridge Electric Awards Educators Grants for Innovative Teaching Projects

For Immediate Release

Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener

Wilkesboro, North Carolina (November 23, 2005) – Grants totaling more than $2,500 were awarded today to several local educators by representatives from Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation who made surprise visits to local schools to present the checks for winning Bright Ideas grants.

Bright Ideas grants support innovative learning projects nominated by the teachers to enhance traditional classroom academics. The grants fund projects which go beyond available school funding. Educators across the Blue Ridge Electric service territory are selected each year for their winning ideas that “flip the switch” in creativity and learning in students of all ages.

Local winners of the grants are:

Jane Ellen Parks, of West Wilkes Middle School, for “On Your Mark, Get Set, Weave!”, which will benefit all students at the school. Students will explore crafts and textile traditions in North Carolina through weaving rag rug bookmarks as they weave fabric strips into cloth on cardboard looms. The grant totaled $318.
Marsha Paisley, of West Wilkes Middle School, for “Frog Livers, Snail Jelly, and Leeches, Oh My!”, to benefit all sixth graders. Students will read The Midwife’s Apprentice and participate in class activities such as gathering historical information, building self-esteem, and personal growth. They will conduct interviews, gather home remedies, and compile the information into books to share with family and friends. The grant totaled $620.
Carla York, of West Wilkes Middle School, for “Thumbing Through Africa” which will benefit targeted seventh graders. Students will create their own models of the African thumb piano, the kalimba. The grant totaled $304.
Michael Holleman, Beth Hule, and Denise Amick of West Wilkes Middle School, for “Save Our Rivers” which will benefit all eighth graders at the school. Utilizing the Yakin and New River, students will engage in a hands on lab experience where they learn about factors that affect water quality and how this affects aquatic organisms. The grant totaled $1,445.

Each September, Blue Ridge Electric seeks applications from area educators and principals serving grades K-12 in public schools. For the 2005-2006 school year Blue Ridge Electric received 54 Bright Ideas grant applications from schools in its service territory of Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery and Wilkes County. Funds totaling $19,004 are being awarded to 19 classroom teachers to directly benefit thousands of area students and their teachers, schools and communities. Blue Ridge Electric is celebrating its 12th year of offering Bright Ideas grants as part of its support and commitment to education. Since 1994, the cooperative has awarded nearly $213,000 in Bright Ideas grants that has impacted more than 64,000 students.

To learn more about the Bright Ideas grants program, visit Blue Ridge Electric’s web site at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com or contact your local Blue Ridge Electric office and ask for Grey Scheer, director of community relations.