2019-2020 Bent Tree Foundation Grant Recipients
by Debbie Davis
On October 23, 2019, Jesse Hunter, Chair of the Bent Tree Foundation, Board members
Brian Orletsky, Nancy Davis and Debbie Davis, Chair of the Bent Tree Foundation Scholarship /Grant Program, had the pleasure to present 10 Pickens County Administrators and Educators at 5 Pickens County schools totaling over $9,089.00. The grant funds were raised through a variety of fundraising events including a golf event, Wines of the World and the generous donations of many Bent Tree residents. Each of the grants was personally presented to the School administrators and educators for implementation of their respective grants during the 2019-2020 academic year.
Pickens High School Administrator, Chris Wallace, accepted grant funds for a grant submitted by Holly Rylee for her grant entitled “Dragons are Green Recycling Program and for Dr. Connie Nelson for her grant entitled “AP Honors Chemistry Inquiry-Based Learning Technological Equipment” which was funded by Nancy Davis, in memory of her husband Dr. Monte Davis, Professor Emeritus at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Pickens Junior High School Administrator, Dr. Chad Flatt, accepted funds for a grant submitted by Sabrina Adler entitled “Reading Across the Curriculum” and for a grant submitted by Sue Watters entitled “Modular Robotics” funded by Nancy Davis, in memory of her husband Dr. Monte Davis, Professor Emeritus at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Hill City Administrator, Jennifer Halko, accepted grant funds for grant recipients Sonia Chapman for her grant entitled “Hydroponics…the future of Agriculture” and for Suzanne Hardison for her grant entitled “Media Center Makerspace: Giving Students a Place to Design and Create”.
Tate Elementary Administrator, Stephanie Hall, accepted grant funds for grant recipient Krista Newton for her grant entitled “Listen to Read”.
Harmony Elementary Administrator, Marla Callahan, accepted grant funds for grant recipients Jennifer Blankenship for her grant entitled: “It’s Alive! Letters Alive!”; for grant recipient Chelli Youngblood for her grant entitled “STEM Bins”; and for Tiffany Paschal for her grant entitled “Accessible Books for All” which will be utilized at several Pickens County schools.
In addition, the Bent Tree Foundation would like to thank the Bent Tree Foundation Grant Review Committee members and former educators Tim Long, Linda August, and Nancy Davis for their dedication and review of the 2019 grant applications.
Also, the Bent Tree Foundation wants to thank all of the individuals in Pickens County and the Bent Tree community whose generosity and financial support help make this Bent Tree Foundation Mission possible!