School News – November 27

BCSC teachers receive $2,000 grant

Three teachers from Clifty Creek Elementary School have received a $2,000 grant from an investment, financial planning and insurance company.

Kaila Lifferth, Vanessa Gutierrez and Amanda Harmeson were awarded the grant through Voya Financial’s 2017 Voya Unsung Heroes awards competition for their teaching idea “Related Arts Africa Project.” The program awards grants to K-12 educators across the country to honor their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects and ability to positively influence their students.

The project from Lifferth, Gutierrez and Harmeson focuses on introducing students to African music, dance and art. Culture bearers and individuals from Columbus with ties to different parts of Africa will be invited to teach students about their customs and art heritage as part of the project.

The teachers were selected from more than 1,200 applicants and was among 100 winners across the country for the award. They will now compete with other finalists for one of the top three prizes: $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 from Voya Financial.

Young announces service academy nominations

U.S. Sen. Todd Young has announced his nominations of high school seniors to U.S. service academies.

Joseph Rivera, Columbus, has received a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Andrew Falkner, Columbus, has received a nomination to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.