El Centro Education Foundation grants scholarships, grants to students and teachers

Students and teachers in the city of El Centro are being supported by the members of the El Centro Education Foundation through the help of financial aid to deliver quality education to the students of El Centro.

The ECEF has supported students and teachers residing in the city of El Centro to succeed since its creation in 1986. A private organization that supports both the El Centro Elementary School District and the high schools of the Central Union High School District.

Dr. David Farkas, superintendent of CUHSD and secretary for the ECEF, said that scholarships provided to students support their pursuit of college goals. Teacher grants are given to aid teachers in supplying instructional materials to their classrooms.

Dr. Farkas said that ECEF assists students with scholarships and teachers with resources for high-quality instruction for valley students.

William Plourd, president of the ECEF, said that the money that is used for teacher grants and student scholarships is funded by local businesses in El Centro.

“These donations are currently professionally managed in an investment account and income from the investment account provides our funding,” Plourd said.

Emma Jones, a member of the ECEF committee, works with ECEF to provide scholarships and grants. Not only are scholarships granted to academically achieving students, but unique opportunities as well.

Jones said, “Last year $35,000 in scholarships were awarded to students. Also each year $1000 in funding is allotted to a qualifying senior in music in honor of Jimmie Cannon.”

Jimmie Cannon was a well-known music teacher at Central Union High School, a founder of Valley Jazz, and the namesake of the Jimmie Cannon Theater at Southwest High School.

Not only are students and teachers individually supported by ECEF, but academic groups and clubs are also funded to support their competitions, said Jones. Some of the groups who have benefitted are the Southwest Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts, the Mock Trial team, CUHS Band Boosters, and the SHS library.

Carol Taylor, the senior administrative assistant to the CUHSD superintendent, said that donations through student scholarships are equal to about $30,000 per year.

“The El Centro Elementary School District for storage lockers at Wilson, SHS Chamber Orchestra, Culinary Arts Program, and upgrades to the audio system in the (Southwest) Theater,” Taylor said.

“Many communities do not have this type of commitment and involvement,” Dr. Farkas said. “The community of El Centro is special and is very proud of the investment El Centro Educational Foundation has put into our educational programs and students.”