By Gerri Miller

Staff Writer

The Central Alabama Community Foundation (CACF) awarded grants to several area schools Tuesday afternoon during the April meeting of the Elmore County Board of Education (ECBOE). The Board also recognized two new assistant principals.

Wetumpka schools took home four of the five CACF awards. Wetumpka Elementary School won a $550.25 award to be used by the library to purchase biographies and chapter books. Wetumpka Middle School won a grant in the same amount to be used by the library to purchase STEM books in the areas of science and math.

Both awards were part of the Charles Horatio McMorris Fund. Vice Admiral McMorris received two Navy crosses, a Distinguished Service Medal, a Legion of Merit Award and a Gold Star after spectacular exploits in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. He retired as the Commandant of the Fourteenth Naval District and of the Hawaiian Sea Frontier. After his death, a destroyer escort ship was named after him.

This fund was established for the benefit of libraries serving elementary school children in Wetumpka to purchase tools that will enhance student education.

CACF awarded $2,624.35 to Wetumpka High School (WHS) to purchase 193 books and find Makerspace activities that will encourage students to think and work collaboratively with others.

The award was funded through the Lucy Brooks Lull Library Project. The fund memorializes Lull, who taught in the Wetumpka schools for 40 years and was recognized as an authority on English literature and grammar. Her father was the first mayor of Wetumpka after the Civil War and then served as Elmore County Probate Judge.

The fund was established to benefit the WHS Library to purchase tools of learning to enhance the education of its students.

Holtville High School (HHS) and WHS were both recipients of the Margaret & Auston Bridges Fund for Arts in Education Grants.

HHS received a $500 award to provide supplies for the Visual Arts Program students to showcase their artistic skills and enhance the school’s outdoor gathering space as class projects.

WHS received $500 to defray costs for students to participate in the All-State Choral Festival under the direction of nationally recognized clinicians. The festival will culminate in a professionally-recorded concert.

Two new assistant principals were also recognized. Amy Williams is the new assistant principal at Coosada Elementary School. She has a Bachelor of Science in Resource Management from Troy University Montgomery, a Master of Education in Elementary Education from Alabama State University and a Certification in Instructional Leadership from the University of West Alabama.

Cory Eckstein is the new assistant principal at Redland Elementary School. Eckstein earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Auburn University Montgomery and earned his Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership from the same institution.