2021-2022 Bent Tree Foundation Awards Pickens County Teacher Grants
By Debbie Ford
Chair, Bent Tree Foundation Grant Program
On October 6, 2021, Gerald Hunter, Chair of the Bent Tree Foundation, Mike Moffitt, Nancy Davis and Debbie Ford, Chair of the Bent Tree Foundation Grant Program, had the pleasure to continue the commitment of the Bent Tree Foundation Mission by presenting 9 Pickens County Educators and Administrators at 6 Pickens County schools with grants totaling over $6,000. The grant funds were raised through a variety of fundraising events 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 2021-2022 academic year.
Hill City Elementary School Administrator, Jennifer Halko, accepted grant funds for grant recipients Maria Collins for her Grant entitled: “Wiggle and Learn”; Jenny Wehunt for her Grant entitled “Buckets Full of Rhythm – Drumming Through COVID”; Georgia Allen for her grant entitled “Standing to Learn” and Suzanne Hardison for “Full STEAM Ahead with Kindergarten and First Grade” funded by Nancy Davis, in memory of her husband, Dr. Monte Davis, professor emeritus at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Harmony Elementary School Administrator, Marla Callahan, accepted funds for grant recipient Jennifer Valeriana for her Grant entitled: “Letters Alive!”.
Jasper Middle School Administrator, Corey Thompson, accepted funds for grant recipient Andra Callahan for her Grant entitled: “Listening Math Centers”.
Pickens County Junior High School Administrator, Dr. Chad Flatt, accepted grant funds for Laurie Guelcher for her Grant entitled: “Jr. Dragon Café Expansion” for the Intellectually Disabled Program.
Pickens County High School Administrator, Dr. Chris Wallace, accepted funds provided by Bent Tree Foundation Board member Nancy Davis, in memory of her husband, Dr. Monte Davis, professor emeritus at Georgia Tech for Dr. Connie Nelson for her grant entitled: “Physical Science Equipment”.
Pickens Alternative Center for Education received a grant for Kelly Flatt for her grant entitled “Growth Mindset Gardens”.
Also, each of the grant recipients and their Administrators were invited to attend the Scholarship and Grant reception provided by the Bent Tree Foundation scheduled for May 1, 2022, at which time they will present the educational impact and/or results of their individual grant implementation.
In addition, the Bent Tree Foundation would like to thank the Bent Tree Foundation Grant Review Committee members and former educators Tim Long, Mike Moffit, Susan Duncan, and Nancy Davis for their dedication and review of the 2021 grant applications on behalf of the Bent Tree Foundation.
2020-2021 Grant Presentations
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, there were no grants awarded.
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!