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.”