Month: December 2024

Pioneer Electric Awards $5,000 in Grants to USD 214 Wrestling Program

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Representatives of Pioneer Electric’s Helping Us Give to Society (H.U.G.S.) team met with coaches from the USD 214 wrestling program on Dec. 19 to present $5,000 in grant funding to the program. The team will use the grants to purchase new mat. An additional $5,000 in grants was awarded courtesy of CoBank’s Sharing Success Program.

“Purchasing this new mat will allow our wrestlers to increase their skills and knowledge of the sport,” said Jen Hittle, girls wrestling coach. “More mats are vital to the program to create an adequate and safe practice environment.”

“We’re excited to see how the USD 214 wrestling program will continue to grow with the addition of this new mat,” said Rae Gorman, H.U.G.S. team member.

Hittle stated that the program has seen its numbers increase, with girls’ wrestling becoming one of the fastest-growing sports for Ulysses.

Further information regarding Pioneer Electric’s H.U.G.S. program and grant applications can be found here.

Pioneer Electric Awards $7,000 in grants to Ulysses Schools

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Representatives from Pioneer Electric’s H.U.G.S. (Helping Us Give to Society) program awarded a $3,000 grant towards Hickok Elementary’s music safety program and $4,000 towards Ulysses High School’s Reading Recharge.

The grant awarded to Hickok Elementary will assist in purchasing safety rails for risers used in performances held by the school. The rails will help keep students safe during music and other performances.

“This will impact all students at Hickok Elementary,” said Susan McConnell, Music Teacher for the school. “The goal is to keep all kids safe while performing on stage. Our number one goal is always the safety of our students.”

For Jennifer Burns, Media Center Instructor with Ulysses High, the grants offer an opportunity to make the school’s library more appealing to students.

“It’s quite a challenge to get students to read in today’s age of cellphones and short attention spans,” shares Burns. “Our library, and what we offer, has to change with our students if we want to encourage a love of reading, The goal of the project is to update our library so that students find our selections appealing and our display of these items engaging.”

The multi-part project will bring dynamic shelving for eye-catching displays and provide additional reading options for students.

“It’s so important that students have access to books that reflect themselves and their interests,” said Burns. “This means purchasing books they ask for, such as graphic novels and books they are seeing on social media.”