The Summerville High School Foundation created a grant program in 2010 and we named it the Bear Grant Program. Typically, we award about $12K-$15K each year in funding for creative and innovative programs that enrich and enhance the student experience for all students in the Summerville Union High School District. This year we granted $ 19,185.00.
All funding from our annual sponsors, alumni and community members is put into the Bear Grant Program or specific endowments.
$1,600 was given to support a new academic club for students interested in learning more about the intriguing field of Forensic Science. Students will be using professional forensic analysis kits to solve several famous crimes. If successful, this club may actually turn into an academic elective class in the 2023-2024 school year. Read about it here.
$1440 was awarded to the rebirth of the school newspaper, under the guidance and leadership of teacher/advisor Kelley Kerns. The newspaper team wanted to print a real hard copy newspaper and will be putting out bi-monthly editions this school year. Read about it here.
$5,698 was received by the Foundation from a local alumna, Marsha Speck. $3000 of that endowment was awarded to a very innovative idea: A Swim Team! This was an exciting Bear Grant application because Summerville HS does not have a pool. Creators of this team idea got innovative and negotiated a rental agreement with Sonora Fitness to host the team. Read about it here.
$1000 was donated to Sober Grad Night for the photo booth.
$2000 was gifted by Siobhan Hill, during the COVID-19 years, to be used by the Academic Decathlon Team when they started doing competitions again. The Foundation was pleased to direct those funds for the team as they traveled to Santa Clara, CA this March for the State Competitions, competing for the first time since 2020.
$5000 was requested in a Bear Grant by Loraine Neves, the Volleyball coach to purchase an “Attack Machine” which would take the place of servers enabling less injuries and allowing athletes to perfect their responses to various types of serves. The Foundation was pleased to split support for this Bear Grant with the Bears Quarterback Club with each organization gifting ½ of the total.
$3,028 was provided to the Tennis Team for new warmups and jerseys. The funds came from a gift from SHS Alumna, Marsha Speck. Additional funds will be provided for new tennis racquets for the team that will arrive just in time for tennis competitions in the 2023-2024 school year. Read about it here.
The last of a $6K grant, received from Kohl’s in 2018, was used for new jerseys for the baseball team in the amount of $1,195.
The event known as the TRU HOPE SUMMIT, brought to the community through Ron & Cindy Roberson and many local sponsors was an inspirational, and encouraging show targeted for all high school students. The Foundation supported the event with a donation of $1000.
The tennis team ordered new racquets for the first time in about 8 years and some new grips and repair parts for existing racquets and balls for the tennis serving machine. Total: $2420.00
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT!
THESE WORTHWHILE PROGRAMS WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT!!
“Enhancing Education in the Arts, Academics, and Athletics”