RALEIGH, NC, February 16, 2012
/24-7PressRelease/ -- NC Beautiful has announced the winners of the 2012 Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Grants from The Duke Energy Foundation. Twelve schools were awarded WOO Grants, which were created to cultivate an appreciation of natural environments by helping K-12 children get out of school and into natural settings. The grants also build leadership awareness, develop environmental educational mentors and ambassadors, create materials and resources that can be used by other students, and develop a sustainable outdoor program.
The Duke Energy Foundation improves the quality of life in the communities it serves through volunteer efforts, expertise through leadership, and financial support through grants to charitable organizations. At the core of The Duke Energy Foundation is its commitment to the community, with a focus in three areas: Environment and Energy Efficiency, Economic Development, and Community Vitality. Inclusiveness/diversity and employee/retiree volunteer initiatives are integrated into all three areas of focus.
Stick Williams, SVP of EH&S and president of The Duke Energy Foundation, believes that reaching out to children about the importance of environmental preservation is a sound investment for North Carolina's future. "Providing students with hands-on learning opportunities to experience the outdoors can ignite excitement in science-related careers," says Williams. "The Foundation's contribution to NC Beautiful is one example of how innovative educational opportunities can become a catalyst to engage future generations in science, the environment and our state's natural resources."
Melanie Shaver teaches 8th grade at West McDowell Jr. High School in McDowell County. Her selected grant entry will help fund signs along the school's nature trail for a QR (Quick Response) coded learning opportunity for science students and teachers. With these new signs, students would approach a sign, read information, and then have the opportunity to learn additional information by scanning the QR Code with their Smartphone to learn more information, hear sounds, or find the answer to a question.
"This grant has given us the opportunity to make our nature trail more of a learning opportunity than it is currently," explains Shaver. "It gives students the chance to learn more about the outdoors in a fun and interactive way that integrates technology. There isn't always money available for projects like these, and the Duke Energy Foundation grant helps us to fulfill enrichment needs such as this."
NC Beautiful Executive Director, Steve Vacendak, says that the support of The Duke Energy Foundation will help NC Beautiful broaden its reach to empower more citizens to help keep North Carolina beautiful. "This grant serves to reinforce Duke Energy's continued commitment to environmental education in the state of North Carolina," says Vacendak. "We congratulate all of our grant recipients, and want to thank The Duke Energy Foundation for helping us educate a new generation on the importance of preserving our environment and natural resources."
Tracey Widmann is an Exceptional Children's teacher with McDowell County Schools Day Treatment and works with a very specialized population of at-risk students. The program she teaches serves students of all grade levels with mental-health needs that are not experiencing success in a typical school setting. Because her students' nutritional needs are seldom met, Widmann will be using her grant funds to maintain a 12/24 patch of land which will be used to create a sustainable garden.
"When our students were asked to list as many vegetables as possible, many could only list two: corn and potatoes. Unbelievably, noodles was also listed as a vegetable," says Widmann. "While there are many things I cannot control in the children's lives, I certainly can help them learn how to make healthy food choices and cultivate a sustainable garden. I am hoping the knowledge and skills learned will foster environmental stewardship, perpetuate North Carolina's natural beauty, and help the students live healthier livesboth now and as adults."
The following is a complete list of The Duke Energy Foundation 2012 Windows of Opportunity Grants recipients, including the name of the teacher submitting the winning entry:
Valerie Price, Pitts School Road Elementary, Concord (Cabarrus County)
Erica Vasile, Brightwood Elementary, Greensboro (Guilford County)
Marie Plummer, West Stokes High School, King (Stokes County)
Melanie Shaver, West McDowell Jr. High, Marion (McDowell County)
Michael Holleman, North Wilkes Middle School, North Wilkesboro (Wilkes County)
Margaret Furr, Mount Pleasant Elementary, Mount Pleasant (Cabarrus County)
Kathy Cox, Robinson Elementary School, Gastonia (Gaston County)
Elizabeth Horrell, North Wilkesboro Elementary, North Wilkesboro (Wilkes County)
Tracey Widmann, McDowell County Schools Day Treatment, Marion (McDowell)
Cathy Wells, Flat Rock Middle School, Winston-Salem (Forsyth County)
Susanne Reid, Bethany Elementary, Reidsville (Rockingham County)
Clinton Byers, Wilkes Central High School, Wilkesboro (Wilkes County)
About NC Beautiful
NC Beautiful has been part of the state's environmental preservation community for 40 years, supporting awareness, education and beautification efforts that affect our quality of life. Today, we concentrate on hands-on and merit-based programs designed to empower our citizens to preserve the natural beauty of the state of North Carolina. Whether it's school children building outdoor classrooms, graduate students developing cutting edge research, or a Boy Scout troop planting azaleas at an elder care facility, we make it possible for North Carolinians to keep NC Beautiful. For more information, visit http://www.ncbeautiful.org.
Media Contacts
Steve Vacendak, Executive Director
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
svacendak@ncbeautiful.org
Louise Carey, Programs Manager
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
lcarey@ncbeautiful.org
Jason Walls, Communications Manager
Duke Energy
(704) 382-5559
Jason.Walls@duke-energy.com
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