Manson Schools Receive $10,000

20 January 2012

For most, Friday the 13th is a superstitious day with potential bad luck lurking behind every corner. Not in Manson. Last week, on Friday the 13th, the Associated Student Body at Manson Secondary School announced $10,000 in grant awards to teachers and staff at both the Secondary and Elementary Schools.

Funded through the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, Jake and Gale Courtney of Manson established the Manson G3: Giving Great Grants fund in 2008 and have been offering annual grants to the Manson School District ever since. Through their generosity, the school can continue to provide enriching programs and purchase small equipment needs that often get cut during tough budget times.

But here’s what’s really special about these grants: the students determine who gets them. The Associated Student Body (ASB), comprised of 9 juniors and seniors, convene each year to review the proposals submitted by their own teachers and mentors. They share their opinions on what is most needed and what will provide the best benefit to their school and their fellow students’ experiences. This is a great opportunity for our future leaders to not only practice civil discourse, but engage in needs assessment activities and develop collective decision-making skills – even when their opinions differ.

Awards for secondary school teachers were announced at the school assembly, which focused on celebrating diversity and honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Afterward, the ASB group walked across the lawn to the Elementary school, surprising teachers in their classrooms with the great news. “This is what it’s all about – the kids!” said Ms. Soliday, who was awarded $100 to replace the old computer monitor in her 2nd grade classroom.

Other awards include funding that will support programs in art and music, workshops in business and leadership, field trips, and much more. Here is a list of teachers and staff that were awarded funds:

• Principal Don Vanderholm and Administrative Secretary Krisy Nelson received $1,500 for prizes at the academic awards assembly.
• Mr. Mathew Brown received two awards: $1,000 for the band trip to the Heritage Music Festival; $500 for the jazz band to participate in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
• Ms. Martin received two awards: $1,000 for library books; $100 for card cart supplies.
• Mr. Tim Bombaci received two grant awards: $750 for the Washington Student Leadership workshop for 8th graders; $500 to produce a field guide for the 6th grade trip to Holden Village.
• Ms. Andrea Whitney received $1,080 for her Music Mania program.
• Ms. Diana Soliday received $100 for a new computer monitor in the classroom.
• Ms. Heather Ireland received two awards: $1,500 for Family Math Night; $500 for Klondike! A Fifth Avenue production.
• Ms. RaeAnne England and Ms. Jennifer Wilkinson were awarded $750 for Biz Town for 5th graders.
• Ms. Tracy Pickeral received $500 for the Pacific Science Center – Science on Wheels program
• Ms. Wendy Shramm received $220 for art projects in the option program.

Manson ASB students from left to right: Stephanie Quiroz,
Marcus Vanderholm, Angel Garcia, Idalia Guillan, Bianca Sanchez,
Yaneli Perez, Alexis Castro, Ana Sanchez, Javis Escalera