By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Fifty-one Yukon teachers have been awarded grants totaling $20,387.
Yukon Public Schools’ Foundation for Excellence received 96 applications in its annual grants-to-teachers program.
“The grants are up to $500 each,” YPS Foundation President Sauny Shedeck said. “I’m very pleased that many teachers applied.
“In the past, some teachers found it overwhelming to fill out the documents. D’Lynne (McDaniel, the YPS Foundation liaison) made it much easier this year.”
This year’s 51 grant recipients were notified after YPS Foundation trustees selected their names among all applicants in a random drawing last week. Winners come from all Yukon school district sites.
For more than 30 years, the non-profit YPS Foundation has helped augment the regular budget by providing grant funds for innovative school projects and other needs.
The Foundation funds everything from electronic equipment and reading materials to physical education supplies and classroom furnishings.
“Many teachers have been creative by applying (for grant funding) for something they don’t have, to help the kids,” Shedeck said.
“For example, one of the reading specialists turned in a need for badges and little supplies as rewards (to her students) for meeting their reading goals. They can display them on their backpacks; it was very unique.”
Since the early 1990s, the YPS Foundation has awarded grants totaling about $530,000 to Yukon educators.
The organization’s founders believed in promoting excellence in Yukon classrooms – and that quality education enhances the lives of students and the success of the community.
The late Milton and Jane Shedeck, Sauny’s grandparents, were among the Foundation’s founding “five-star” donors. Sauny Shedeck succeeded her father, Milo, on the board of trustees.
“I’m just trying to continue the stewardship of helping our local teachers,” she said.
YPS Foundation trustees raise money to provide the teacher grants, which are awarded each fall.
This fall, special T-shirts with the original Miller Man logo are being sold to benefit Yukon’s school foundation.
These keepsake shirts – in youth ($20) and adult ($25) sizes – are on sale at the Yukon Chamber of Commerce office, 10 W Main #130.
Other fund-raising benefits are being considered for next spring.
The YPS Foundation for Excellence also has issued a plea for volunteers to serve on its board.
“We’re open to welcoming new board members,” Shedeck said. “A lot of people have retired.”
For more details or to support the foundation, call D’Lynne McDaniel at (405) 354-2579.
AND THE WINNERS ARE …
YPS Foundation trustees delivered certificates to the 51 grant recipients on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Yukon’s 13 school sites.
Skyview Elementary School boasts the most winners, with eight.
Shedeck Elementary School follows with six recipients while Parkland Elementary School has five.
This year’s YPS Foundation for Excellence teacher honorees are:
- Skyview Elementary School: Megan Simpson, Erica Blystone, Autumn Wood, Candice Moy, Mandy McDaniel, Nicole Baldwin, Nicole DeVault, and Charissa Spruill.
- Lakeview Intermediate School: Vicki Bonny, Jennifer Christensen, Carrie Abrams, and Shauna Walker.
- Yukon High School: DeLora Mowery, Jessica Parker, Rachel Allred, and Abreaunna Raizola.
- Independence Intermediate School: Sarah McLain, Kim Payne, Sandra Winn, and Laura Reilly.
- Parkland Elementary School: Megan Hayes, Kim Humphrey, Jamai Hirschler, Amanda Miranda, and Emily Murrow.
- Myers Elementary School: Mykal Haun, Wendy Green, Rachel Milner, and Samantha Pierce.
- Ranchwood Elementary School: Rachel Rowe, Kayce Davis, Elizabeth Argraves, and Lindsey Willetts.
- Shedeck Elementary School: Jacob Benner, Susan Scavitto, Amanda Chatelain, Tiffany Hadden, Sheila Zerby, and Jennie Wilmes.
- Yukon Middle School: Marcia Heitzman, Summer Ward, Sabrina Beasley, and Amy Morey.
- Central Elementary School: Gayla Pounds and Tylar Pesina.
- Yukon Alternative Learning Experience (YALE): Maria Schoen and Alison Bryant.
- Redstone Intermediate School: Stephanie Parker and Skylar Beadel.
- Surrey Hills Elementary School: Yeneer Oruru and Amy Proctor.
