Coastal Electric Cooperative and its Foundation awarded over $22,000 in Bright Ideas grants to school teachers in Bryan, Liberty and McIntosh County this week. The winning teachers were caught totally by surprise when the Bright Ideas Prize Team came to their classroom to present them with giant balloon bouquets, gifts and a presentation check.
- Mary Jo Fina of Richmond Hill High School won a grant for her project Children First – Pediatric CPR.
- Patricia Ann Bryant of Richmond Hill High School for her project, Building Future Healthcare Workers.
- Christy Crowley of Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary for her project, Growing Healthy Eaters.
- Windi Holmes also of Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary for her project, Electrical Engineers Workshop.
- Patrick Welch of Richmond Hill Middle School for his project, Making Connections.
- John Melcher of Richmond Hill Middle School for his project, SOS – Pollinator Garden.
- Wendy Dauphinee of Richmond Hill Middle School for her project, Physics on the go!
- Abner Zachary of McIntosh Academy was awarded $1,924 for his project, 3D Printing in Math Class.
- Brittany Thurston of McIntosh County Middle School was awarded $1,559 for her project, Smart Music.
- Anthony Johnson of Midway Middle School won a grant for his project Real Men Read.
- Karisa Young of Liberty College and Career Academy for her project, The Reality Store.
- Linda Cooke of Liberty Elementary for her project, Poetry Under Construction.
- Diane Claxton of Button Gwinnett Elementary for her project, Outside These Four Walls.
- Victoria Funston of Waldo Pafford Elementary for her project, Building History.
Since the program’s inception in 2002 more than $220,000 has been awarded to local teachers. The grants give teachers the power to put their creative teaching ideas into action. Applications are accepted from teachers instructing students in grades K-12.
Bright Ideas is made possible in part thru the voluntary donations of the Cooperative’s members who participate in Operation Round Up® — members allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the nearest whole dollar. Those nickels and dimes each month are turned over to The Coastal Electric Cooperative Foundation which oversees the fund. The Foundation uses the money to assist with food, health, shelter, safety, and educational needs within the community.