Teachers “Surprised” With Funding for
Their Innovative Teaching Ideas
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323;
or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Sparta, North Carolina (November 19, 2004) – The Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation “prize patrol” surprised two local educators today with Bright Ideas grants totaling $2,500.
Bright Ideas grants support innovative learning projects designed by the teachers to enhance traditional classroom academics and 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.
Joe Ward, operations manager, and Grey Scheer, community relations director, presented the grants in a surprise visit to:
- Ginger Piatt, of Glade Creek Elementary, for “Fit for Life” to benefit all students at school. The program is designed to help students develop greater exercise awareness and training that will build new lifestyles of fitness. Students will learn how to make exercise fun and a part of their regular routine. The grant totaled $1,063.
- Cecelia Hampton, of Sparta Elementary, for “Movers and Shakers—Little Earth Makers” to benefit students K-4th grade. Upper grade students will also benefit through independent work. The program will have students create a low-level recycling center using red wiggler worms and lunchroom garbage in order to develop a better understanding of the impact of man on the environment. The grant totaled $1,437.
Bright Ideas is an academic grants program sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric in conjunction with the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation and its 26 other member electric cooperatives. Each September, Blue Ridge Electric seeks applications from area educators and principals serving grades K-12 in public schools. Grants are awarded in amounts from $100 to a maximum of $2,000.
For the 2004-2005 school year Blue Ridge Electric received 72 Bright Ideas grant applications from schools in its service territory of Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery and Wilkes County. Funds totaling $18,634 are being awarded to 15 classroom teachers across the cooperative’s service territory to directly benefit thousands of area students, teachers, schools and communities.
Blue Ridge Electric is celebrating its eleventh year of offering Bright Ideas grants as part of its support and commitment to education. Since 1994, the cooperative has awarded nearly $200,000 in Bright Ideas grants through 232 different grants impacting over 55,000 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.
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