ROCKINGHAM — Six of the 10 projects being funded through Bright Ideas grants from Pee Dee Electric for the most recent cycle are from Richmond County.
The electric cooperative posted the 2023 Bright Ideas winners on its Facebook page Dec. 21, a week following a luncheon where the grants were awarded.
“Our annual Bright Ideas Luncheon emphasizes our ongoing commitment to supporting education and fostering creativity one student at a time,” the post reads.
PDE awarded a total of $13,000 during this cycle to teachers in Anson, Richmond, Scotland and Stanly counties.
According to a previous press release, projects can include art, history, math, reading, science and technology; and teachers can apply as individuals or as a team.
The Richmond County teachers receiving grants for their projects are:
- Kim Brown of LJ Bell Elementary: Buzzing About Reading in The Beehive Cafe
- Ashley Ayers of East Rockingham Elementary: Monthly STEM Days
- Kelly Maree of Ellerbe Middle: How Aquifers Work
- Tammy Locklear & Krista Herold of West Rockingham Elementary: Exploring the World Around Me
- Amanda Defibaugh of Cordova Middle: Growing and Gardening
- Rhonda Jenkins of West Rockingham Elementary: Financial Literacy in the Classroom
Defibaugh was awarded a grant for the same program in 2022, and Jenkins received one in 2020.
Richmond County had five grant recipients in 2022, and four each in 2021 and 2020.
Grants for this cycle were also awarded to teachers at South Stanly High, Laurel Hill Elementary, Peachland-Polkland Elementary and Ansonville Elementary.
Applications generally open in April and the period closes in September.
Pee Dee Electric has awarded more than $300,000 in grants since 1994.
