Area schools receive $10K donation

Many Faulkner County students returning to school in August will benefit from contributions Southwestern Energy Company is making to their schools over the summer.

Company representatives awarded grants of $2,000 each Monday to Conway High School, Greenbrier Junior High School, Guy-Perkins High School, Mt. Vernon-Enola High School and Vilonia Middle School as part of their continued support of education in Arkansas. Southwestern Energy is contributing $48,000 to 24 school districts in communities where they operate throughout the Fayetteville Shale play this summer.

The company notified school districts in April of the opportunity to apply for the grant. All responded with requests that met the program criteria of funding science, math or technology programs, special activities or materials that benefit students. Schools in Faulkner County benefiting from the contributions and their plans for the funds are Conway intermediate and middle schools, with Senteo interactive response system for student interaction; Greenbrier Junior High School, with an iMac computer for video editing various school projects; Guy-Perkins High School, with lab equipment for science department; Mt. Vernon-Enola Elementary School, with computers for the elementary school computer lab; and Vilonia Middle School, with technology-based math and science material.

"We are very pleased to have been selected to receive this grant award," said Peggy Woosley, director of secondary education for the Conway School District. "Our students will benefit greatly from the ability to access the Senteo interactive response system which is designed to enhance teaching and learning. The system will primarily be used at our intermediate and middle schools to help prepare our students for more advanced technology and to help create feedback on student knowledge."

Southwestern Energy's support of education in Arkansas also includes a partnership with the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton that established a two-year petroleum technology program and a partnership with Junior Achievement of Arkansas that brings a careers curriculum to high school students.

"Our support for education has become a cornerstone commitment of our giving initiatives," said David Evans, community relations manager for Southwestern Energy Company. "We recognize the importance of a strong education to prepare young people for a successful future and are grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to programs and materials that inspire their learning."