Women’s Leadership Council awards grants WATCH PARTY
The Women’s Leadership Council recently awarded grants to Mountain Pine High School and Hot Springs Junior Academy middle school.
Both schools submitted grant applications to the council to help fund projects designed to encourage female students to complete their education, develop growth and acquire skills for meaningful employment.
“This grant will provide our Junior Trojan Girls group with a safe place to explore and establish academic, social, emotional and career goals through activities, such as college campus visits, small group sessions, internships and guest speakers,” said Katelyn Walker, Hot Springs Junior Academy counselor. “We are grateful for the support of the women in this community who wish to see all of our young women succeed.”
Mountain Pine High School recently received a $1,500 grant to implement a new exploration for female students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Funding will enable the implementation of educational awareness programs, field trips to area businesses and colleges, and use of soft skills and business etiquette to 25 students in grades 7-12.
“I am very excited about the opportunities this grant will afford us”, said Tammy Brown, college and career coach at Mountain Pine High School. “Developing programs that enable our students to explore career possibilities is an awesome thing we are able to offer all our students.
“Being able to specifically encourage females to broaden their awareness in the STEM areas is something I am personally passionate about and something we wouldn’t have been able to do this first year of the college and career program had we not received this funding.”
The Women’s Leadership Council was formed in 2013 by a group of women of achievement with the desire to help young women reach their highest potential. Continuing as founding members of the council are Ann Carrithers, Joyce Craft, Sunny Evans, Elizabeth Farris, Melinda Gassaway, Diane LaFollette, Dorothy Morris and Carla Mouton.
Grants are funded from council events. Members share their personal stories and invited other members of the community to offer financial support. The council awarded almost $8,000 in grants in 2015 and 2016.
Grant proposals will be accepted from public schools in Garland County with programs to encourage female students to pursue education and acquire the skills needed for self-sustaining jobs. Applications will be available after May 30 at http://womensleadership.co/. Call 501-623-5039 for more information about grant criteria.