E M P O W E R, I N S P I R E, S U P P O R T

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The Greater Greer Education Foundation’s mission is to gather resources and provide support to enrich and extend educational opportunities in the Greater Greer area.

A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER VOL. 3 NO. 1 2014

Greater GreerEducation Foundation

Foundation awards $29,650 in scholarships and grants

to 31 students and community projects

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"The Greater Greer Education Foundation would like to thank the people and businesses who have supported our efforts, and we proudly announce that the total amount of the Foundation's gifts back to the community for education 2011-2014 totals $87,300."

-- MARGARET BURCHChairman, Greater Greer Education Foundation

The Greater Greer Education Foundation presented $16,550 in grant money to 15 school and community projects in Greenville and Spartanburg counties at a news conference Jan. 21, 2014 at Greer City Hall.The grants, made possible by funds from the October 2013 Education Gala, ranged from $400 to $1,500.

Debbie Holcombe, a physical education teacher at James F. Byrnes High School, has received a grant from the Foundation for the past three years. The grant provides resources for the FIGHT (Friends Into Getting Health Together) Club to train and participate in the Lifepoint 5K race in Charleston.

“Our FIGHT club provides a program that empowers each participant with the knowledge and experience to develop a healthy active lifestyle through exercise, nutrition education and activities in a positive supportive environment,” Holcombe said.

“The 5K race, sponsored by the GGEF for the past three years, provides an incentive and

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The Greater Greer Education Foundation awarded $13,100 in scholarships to 16 students from six high schools in the Greater Greer area May 26, 2014 at Greer City Hall. Students were selected by the guidance department of each school and submitted to the Foundation. The Foundation in turn presented scholarship funds to the technical school or college on behalf of the student.

The scholarships fall into three categories: undesignated scholarships given by donors to the Foundation for study in particular fields, scholarships given by Gala Sponsors in the Underwriter category, and scholarships made possible by the contributions to the scholarship fund at the annual Education Gala.

“This year’s 16 scholarship awards total $13,100. These, along with the $18,050 in grants awarded to schools earlier this year, total $31,150 that we are giving back to the community this year — all for educational opportunities for our citizens.

“The Greater Greer Education Foundation would like to thank the people and businesses who have supported our efforts, and we proudly announce that

SCHOLARSHIP Continued on Page 5

2014 GRANTS:$16,550

2014 SCHOLARSHIPS:$13,100

$87,300!

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Continued from Page 2 reward to encourage these students to persevere in their journey to make healthy decisions apart of their every day lives.” Dr. Colleen Keith, president of Spartanburg of Spartanburg Methodist College and a member of the board, had this to say about the grants program:“The breadth of issues that the grant applications to the Greater Greer Education Foundation revealed is staggering,” she said. “Teachers and those involved in the arts and child care are doing some amazing things without the best materials possible. To be able to grant a request for technology that can be used to help a child learn and improve the classroom experience brings those of us on the Foundation board great joy, and we know we are meeting a critical need.”Margaret Burch, Foundation chairman, commented that each year the foundation has been able to help teachers and students with more funding than the year before. “We are grateful for the support of the citizens and business community who have embraced our vision and joined us in enhancing educational opportunities in the Greater Greer Area,” she said.

The 2014 grants were awarded to:

Middle Tyger Community Center/Lisa Hall -- $1,500The grant will be used to provide adult education, childcare, parent and child together time and parenting enrichment, with a goal of breaking the cycle of poverty among families and help them achieve family sufficiency.Tigerville Elementary School/C. Diane Jackson -- $1,500The grant will provide iPad minis to give all students at Tigerville more access to leveled reading books.Chandler Creek Elementary School/Alicia Keller -- $1,500The grant will be used to create a new tutoring and mentoring program, consisting of parent representatives, school representatives and community members who all agree that the school needs a systemic, student focused approach to identifying and responding to students at risk of falling behind.Reidville Elementary School/Tonya Williams -- $1,500The grant will be used to promote science learning by increasing access to an interactive, hands on science program for students.GRANTS Continued on Page 4

Jenny Hunter, a teacher at Mountain View Elementaary School, receives a $1,350 grant for her school from David Dolge, chairman of the Foundation’s Grants Committee.

Tonya Williams, left, a third-grade teacher at Reidville Elementary School, and assistant principal Dr. Kim Deering, accepted a $1,500 grant for Reidville Elementary School.

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GRANTS Continued from Page 3Greer Middle School/Serena D. Cox -- $1,480The grant will be used for incorporating technology and engineering concepts into standardized instruction through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs.Skyland Elementary School/Carol C. Godfrey -- $1,450The grant will be used to engage and motivate student readers through the use of children’s literature and music.Mountain View Elementary School/Jenny Hunter -- $1,350The grant will be used to incorporate Hooked with Nooks in the classroom, to enhance, inspire and improve young readers with materials and instruction that fit their individual levels of development.Greer High School/Jamie Garrett -- $1,270The grant will be used to purchase iPads to use in the Teacher Cadet Program, where students will create lessons for elementary or middle school math, science or foreign language classes.James F. Brynes Freshman Academy/Shancie S. Burnett -- $1,250The grant will be used to help reach a goal of increasing active engagements in learning mathematical concepts and skills and raising levels of mathematical competency in struggling learners through the use of an Interwrite board.Lyman Elementary/Karen Cummings -- $1,100The grant will be used to improve math and science skills in 3rd grade classrooms by offering students a year of hands-on activities using everyday household items.Greer High School/Sara Arndt -- $800The grant will be used to incorporate the Senteo Interactive Response System in classrooms, which will allow teachers to create questions that students can electronically and automatically respond to via a wireless clicker.

James F. Byrnes High School/Debbie Holcombe -- $500The grant will be used to continue the FIGHT weight loss/get fit program, which provides students with an opportunity to participate in a program that promotes a healthy active lifestyle through exercise, nutrition education and activities in a supportive environment.Tigerville Elementary School/Felicia Jo Kitchens -- $500The grant will be used to purchase Leveled Reader sets that support Science Standards in the classroom.Tigerville Elementary School/Susan Ward -- $450The grant will be used to purchase an iPad mini to use as an instructional center to help with small group and individualized learning in a variety of subjects.Dunbar CDC/Kathleen Wienand -- $400The grant will be used to purchase a Sono Flex app that will allow students to develop a consistent core vocabulary that can be utilized in a wide range of social situations.David Dolge, chairman of the Grants Committee, said he found this year's decisions difficult because the grant applications were all so strong and deserving. “Our schools and teachers are doing incredible work for the students in the Greater Greer area and they deserve our help,” he said.The Foundation serves 27 schools in Greenville and Spartanburg counties.

Sara Arndt, an English teacher at Greer High School, receives an $800 grant from Dolge.

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SCHOLARSHIP Continued from Page 3the total amount of the Foundation’s gifts back to the community for education 2011-2014 totals $87,300.”

Les Gardner, Director of Development, Greenville Tech Foundation, spoke to the students, telling them that “a new part of your life’s journey has begun, and these scholarships will help you get there.”

Gardner noted that $800 is nearly enough to pay for a full semester at Greenville Tech if the student receives lottery tuition assistance and that is why the foundation chose that amount for its scholarships.

“It is a huge sum of money if you’re starting college,” he said, “and it buys you a ticket to Tech. If you work at it, you will become a successful member of this community.”Michael Kennedy, assistant vice president for philanthropy at Converse College, personally thanked the foundation and congratulated the students. “It’s a great day to see all these young people receiving scholarships,” he said. “The foundation is really changing their lives.”

Chris Robertson, financial aid counselor at Spartanburg Methodist College, said it was

“an honor to be here today with these amazing students. And on behalf of SMC, we can’t thank the foundation enough.”

The 2014 scholarship recipients:

The $1,000 Marlea Rhem Music Scholarship, in memory of Marlea Rhem, given by C.F. (Sonny) Rhem Jr., was awarded to Brianna Taylor of Lyman. The Byrnes High School graduate is majoring in Music Education with an Arts Minor at Converse College.

A $1,000 scholarship donation was given to the foundation by Margaret Burch for a non-specified deserving student. The Scholarship was awarded to Abby Roth from Travelers Rest and Blue Ridge High School, who will attend Converse College. She is interested in a double major in Nursing/Biology and Spanish. She also will play on the college’s tennis team.

The $1,000 Town of Lyman Scholarship was given to Jesse Tyler Davis of Startex. Jesse is a graduate of Byrnes High School and will be a sophomore at Spartanburg Methodist College, studying Fine Arts.

SCHOLARSHIPS Continued on Page 6

William Howell accepts the $800 BMW Scholarship from Dolge. William will study welding at Greenville Tech.

James Brown accepts the $800 Hanson Aggregates scholarship from Dolge. James will study welding at Midlands Tech.

S E Q U O I A C L U B

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SCHOLARSHIPS Continued from Page 45

The $800 Suzanne Greene Art Scholarship was presented to Maurice Bobo from Byrnes High School. He will study Digital Design at Spartanburg Community College.

The $800 Hanson Aggregates Scholarship was presented to James Brown from the Bonds Career Center. He will study Machine Tool at Midlands Technical College.

The $800 Pelham Medical Center Scholarship was presented to Rachel Panagakos, a student at Greer Middle College Charter High School. She will enter the PTA Certificate/Degree Program at Greenville Technical College.

The $800 BMW Scholarship was presented to William Howell of Greer High School. He will study Welding at Greenville Tech.

The $800 Greer Memorial Hospital Scholarship was presented to Kelsey Moser of Blue Ridge High School. She will study Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Health Science at Greenville Tech.

The $800 Travis Olmert Scholarship was awarded to Zach Walkden of Greer Middle College Charter High School who will study Engineering Technology at Greenville Tech.

The $800 Community Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Brianna Childress of Byrnes High School, who will study Nursing and Pharmacy Tech at Spartanburg Community College.

The $500 Ashmore Bros. Scholarship was awarded to KeiAndris Celeste Black, a graduate of Riverside High School. She will be a sophomore at Spartanburg Methodist College this year, working toward an Associate Degree in Fine Arts.

An $800 scholarship was awarded to Christopher Lancaster of Blue Ridge High School, will study Welding at Greenville Tech.

An $800 scholarship was awarded to Darian Gladney of Riverside High School, who will study Welding at Greenville Tech.

An $800 scholarship was awarded to Kayla Waldner from Greer High School, who will study Cosmetology at Greenville Tech.

An $800 scholarship was awarded to Megan Adrianna Watts of Riverside High School, who will study Computer Programming at Greenville Tech.

An $800 scholarship was awarded to Megan Nestor from Bonds Career Center, who will study Animal Science at Greenville Tech.

Dolge presents the $1,000 Town of Lyman Scholarship to Jesse Tyler Davis, who will attend Spartanburg Methodist College.

Maurice Bobo accepts congratulations from Dolge on receiving the $800 Suzanne Greene Art Scholarship. Maurice will attend Spartanburg Community

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Board of DirectorsMARGARET BURCH — CHAIRMANSKIP DAVENPORT — Vice ChairmanBRENT GARRETT — TreasurerTRAVIS OLMERT — SecretaryLauri AshmoreDr. Ben DillardDavid DolgeDr. Colleen KeithTony KouskolekasJulie McMakinBrian MartinPeggy NeelPatti OsbonEric TonnsenDr. Nancy Welch

Mark Owens — Ex-Officio MemberGloria Fair — Executive Secretary

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Abby Roth, with David Dolge, received a $1,000 scholarship to Converse College.

The Education Gala, which has been a major fundraising event for the Greer Education Foundation, will not be held this year.

The Foundation is hoping to raise funds for 2015 grants and scholarships by continued support from corporate sponsors and a new initiative, Greer Women Giving for Education.

Please contact Nancy Welch (877-5308) or Margaret Burch (877-8328) if you would like to support local educators and students through this new effort.

In the past four years, the Foundation has awarded 51 grants to local schools and 55 college scholarships to high school graduates for a total of $87,300.

Neel joins Education BoardPeggy Neel is a Speech Language Pathologist. She has been employed by Greenville County for more than 16 years and currently is the Director of Speech Language Services for the district. Prior to accepting her current position she served speech students at Woodland Elementary in Greer. Peggy serves as the SC Speech and Hearing Association’s school liaison to the American Speech and Hearing Association. She is also the mother of two children that attend Greer area schools.

GREATER GREEREDUCATION

FOUNDATION

111 Trade St.Greer, SC 29651

Your support will helplocal students, educators

GREER WOMEN GIVING FOR EDUCATION