Due to Covid-19, we had to get creative in ways to use our grant. Our original purpose was to use our funds for educational lessons used in classrooms across Monroe County in grades K4-4th grade. We were not able to enter the schools this year, so we decided to find a way to reach out to students in different ways. After reaching out to teachers we made “kits” throughout the year that went along with conservation lessons. This included: The Lifecycle of a Butterly (227 kits), The Water Cycle(480 kits) and Seeds(262 kits). We also did an Earth Day Giveaway with activity books and other prizes. Our organization also partnered with the Monroe County Forestry Committee in their FAWN program and donated items for the (250) bags that were given out to the 5th grade students in Monroe County. Over Christmas break we hosted an event called “Christmas at the Conservation Center”. We held 3 different classes for ages Kindergarten-6th grade and had lessons on conservation, experiements, played games, made crafts, etc.
Monroe
MONROE COUNTY FAWN PROGRAM
This is a great program that each 5th grader in our county looks forward to annually. This year was different, due to Covid and the students not getting to be actively present for FAWN. Our Committee thought outside the box and decided to do a backpack for each student, using many types of materials to educate them about soils, trees, animals and nature.
Monroe 4-H Life Skills Project
The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth
through experiential programs and a positive youth development approach. The Monroe
County 4-H is seeking to enhance the 4-H experience for the youth of our county. It is
our mission to provide hands-on experiences and learning as an educational method
that directly involves the learner, by actively encouraging them to do something in order
to learn about it. In short, it is ‘learning by doing’. In order to provide the students of our
county with the best possible education, we are seeking funding to provide the program
materials necessary.
Education Outreach
Pioneer Days at Rikard’s Mill Historical involves living history demonstrations where visiting school children may see how rural Alabamians lived. They observe the working gristmill, blacksmith shop, cane-syrup making and pioneer cabin life. It is the goal of the Museum to instill an appreciation of the diverse group who have contributed to the history of Monroe County and this area. Also, we strive to provide students with the opportunity to observe the everyday lives of early pioneers through demonstrations of life skills. Having experienced the demonstrations, we hope to help develop critical thinking and problem solving skills through interactive activities with resource people and scholars.
Monroe County Scholarship
The Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce was able to award four college scholarships ($3,000 in total) to high school seniors to further their academic careers thanks to the generous funding from the Ala-Tom RC&D Council.
Two $1,000 each Good Works Scholarships were awarded to Katelynn Woody (Monroe County High School) and Cal Carter (Monroe Academy). The students were selected through an application process that included recommendation letters, essays, high school transcripts, resumes, and college acceptance letters. The Good Works Scholarship was open to all high school seniors that reside and attend school in Monroe County.
The Monroe County Youth Ambassadors Scholarship was awarded to Justin Hollinger (Monroe County High School) and Karlie Welch (J.U. Blacksher High School). Each student received a $500 college scholarship. This scholarship was open to current Monroe County Youth Ambassadors. The application process included essays and volunteer hours.
Monroe County is considered an impoverished county and the scholarships will greatly aid these students in pursuing their dreams of college. The Monroeville/Monroe County Chamber of Commerce would not have been able to award the four scholarships without the generous grant donation from the Ala-Tom RC&D Council.