West Union Schools Alumni and Friends Educational Fund Announces Inaugural Grant
Fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio Supports Student Music Experiences
Representatives of the West Union Schools Alumni and Friends Educational Fund recently visited West Union Elementary School to present its inaugural grant award. Pictured from left to right in the front row are Dennis Sizemore, Fund Committee member; Shay Pennington, West Union Elementary School principal; Nancy Schneider, West Union Elementary School music instructor & grant recipient; and Roy Gabbert, Fund Committee member. Pictured behind them is the West Union Elementary School Honors Choir
West Union, OH – Everyone remembers their elementary school music class, especially the fun they had and the love of music they developed in those music rooms. That’s why the West Union Schools Alumni and Friends Educational Fund is pleased to announce its inaugural grant to West Union Elementary School and music teacher Nancy Schneider’s classes. The $2,000 grant will support music room updates as well as a live musical performance for upper level elementary students.
A veteran of West Union schools, Ms. Schneider has taught music in the district for 33 years. This grant award from the West Union Schools Alumni and Friends Educational Fund, a fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), will support the installation of carpet and acoustic wall panels in the elementary music room. These updates will allow 850 students in kindergarten through sixth grades to more fully participate in classroom activities, growing their listening and hearing skills and allowing them to more fully engage with each other and the musical content they are learning.
Additionally, the grant will allow students at West Union Elementary to witness a world-class, live musical performance. Students in fourth and fifth grades, those on the cusp of playing instruments and joining the school band, will enjoy a classical music performance by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Students will travel to Cincinnati to watch the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra perform at the historic Music Hall. A portion of this grant will fund the transportation costs associated with this transformational student experience.
“The West Union Schools Educational Fund has a tremendous opportunity to support students and teachers in a school district that means so much to us,” said Roy Gabbert, West Union Schools Education Fund committee member. “We are excited to launch our grantmaking by awarding an application by a longtime teacher like Ms. Schneider, one that has the opportunity to kickstart a lifelong love of music in our youngest citizens.”
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is privileged to partner with school district funds like the West Union Schools Education Fund throughout the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. The Foundation’s mission is to create opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. FAO supports communities across five areas essential to community and regional quality of life. Called the Pillars of Prosperity, these areas include arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services.
To learn more about the West Union Schools Educational Fund and how you can support students and teachers, please visit www.AppalachianOhio.org or call 740.753.1111.
About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.
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