By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—It’s always special when teachers are rewarded for their hard work at the annual Plus Endowment banquet, but it’s even more special when the founder of the Plus Endowment program is on hand to enjoy the festivities.
Former Henry County Schools Director William Atchison, who now lives in Florida, was able to attend Tuesday night’s annual event. Atchison is the originator of the Plus Endowment program, which has given a total $340,000 in grants to teachers in the county and Paris Special Schools districts since its beginning in 1991. Grants are awarded for innovative and educational projects that would not otherwise be available in the classrooms.
It was especially fitting that Atchison should attend this year’s banquet, at which the largest amount of grants ever were awarded, the largest number of grant applications were received, and the first year that a mega-grant was awarded—for up to $5,000.
The mega-grant award winner was Shay Armstrong, Lakewood teacher in grades K-8. Her project will implement virtual field trips for students. A total of eight teachers applied for the mega-grant.
This year, a total of $65,823 in mini-grants were awarded to dozens of teachers to implement projects for their students in the coming year. Each school in the county is represented with grant awards.
In remarks to the large audience on hand at the fairgrounds, Atchison recalled that the total amount given in 1991 was $5,000. “It’s great to see how it’s grown in these years.”
Board Chairman Steve Blount said 164 grant applications were applied for, which is “way more than ever before. This was a great year. At the beginning of the school year, we challenged you folks to be creative and apply and you did both. There were some really, really good grants applied for this year.”
The amount of grants given this year summarized by grade level: primary to second grade, $12,247; grades three to five, $7,218; grades 6-8 $6,584; Grove, $3330; HCHS $7221; multiple grades $7785; liaison $4500 and wildlife $1150.
The total amount of William Atchison grants this year is $11,789.
Board Member Patsy Blount noted that the program began with $500 grants, then began awarding $2,000 grants a few years later.
The growth of the Plus Endowment program, Steve Blount said, “is a tribute to the generosity of the folks of Henry County.”
Dinner was provided by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office chefs–Chief Deputy Damon Lowe, Deputy Ricky Ford, with entree provided by Tosh Farms.
Musical entertainment was provided by the Henry County High School Madrigals, with violin solo by Kester Nucum.
Photos: Bill Atchison is greeted by City Manager Kim Foster; Sheriff Monte Belew and Chief Deputy Damon Lowe hand out beverages to Donna Milam and Laura Moss; Kester Nucum on violin. (Shannon McFarlin photos).
It was especially fitting that Atchison should attend this year’s banquet, at which the largest amount of grants ever were awarded, the largest number of grant applications were received, and the first year that a mega-grant was awarded—for up to $5,000.
The mega-grant award winner was Shay Armstrong, Lakewood teacher in grades K-8. Her project will implement virtual field trips for students. A total of eight teachers applied for the mega-grant.
This year, a total of $65,823 in mini-grants were awarded to dozens of teachers to implement projects for their students in the coming year. Each school in the county is represented with grant awards.
In remarks to the large audience on hand at the fairgrounds, Atchison recalled that the total amount given in 1991 was $5,000. “It’s great to see how it’s grown in these years.”
Board Chairman Steve Blount said 164 grant applications were applied for, which is “way more than ever before. This was a great year. At the beginning of the school year, we challenged you folks to be creative and apply and you did both. There were some really, really good grants applied for this year.”
The amount of grants given this year summarized by grade level: primary to second grade, $12,247; grades three to five, $7,218; grades 6-8 $6,584; Grove, $3330; HCHS $7221; multiple grades $7785; liaison $4500 and wildlife $1150.
The total amount of William Atchison grants this year is $11,789.
Board Member Patsy Blount noted that the program began with $500 grants, then began awarding $2,000 grants a few years later.
The growth of the Plus Endowment program, Steve Blount said, “is a tribute to the generosity of the folks of Henry County.”
Dinner was provided by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office chefs–Chief Deputy Damon Lowe, Deputy Ricky Ford, with entree provided by Tosh Farms.
Musical entertainment was provided by the Henry County High School Madrigals, with violin solo by Kester Nucum.
Photos: Bill Atchison is greeted by City Manager Kim Foster; Sheriff Monte Belew and Chief Deputy Damon Lowe hand out beverages to Donna Milam and Laura Moss; Kester Nucum on violin. (Shannon McFarlin photos).