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NC Beautiful has announced the winners of the 2013 Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Grants from The Duke Energy Foundation. Eight schools were awarded WOO Grants, which were created to cultivate an appreciation of natural environments by helping K-12 children get out of school and into natural settings. The grants also build leadership awareness, develop environmental educational mentors and ambassadors, create materials and resources that can be used by other students, and develop a sustainable outdoor program.
The Duke Energy Foundation improves the quality of life in the communities it serves through volunteer efforts, expertise through leadership, and financial support through grants to charitable organizations. At the core of The Duke Energy Foundation is its commitment to the community, with a focus in three areas: Environment and Energy Efficiency, Economic Development, and Community Vitality. Inclusiveness/diversity and employee/retiree volunteer initiatives are integrated into all three areas of focus.
Stick Williams, President, Duke Energy Foundation & Vice President, Corporate Community Affairs, believes that reaching out to children about the importance of environmental preservation is a sound investment for North Carolina’s future. “Providing students with hands-on learning opportunities to experience the outdoors can ignite excitement in science-related careers,” says Williams. “The Foundation’s contribution to NC Beautiful is one example of how innovative educational opportunities can become a catalyst to engage future generations in science, the environment and our state’s natural resources.”
Kim Kelleher is the School Counselor at New Hope Elementary School in Chapel Hill. Her awarded grant will help unite the Junior Ranger Program with the New Hope Nature Trail by providing 24 station markers along the school’s one-mile, wooded nature trail with accompanying nature trail guide that explains the significance of each landmark. Some landmarks along the trail include a wild flower garden, pine grove, certified wildlife habitat, dry upland, and a geodetic survey marker.
“I am honored to be selected as a winner of the Windows of Opportunity Grant,” says Kelleher. “As the founder of the Junior Ranger Program, I am thrilled to lead educational programming which stimulates students to achieve their potential with wisdom, passion, and character.”
Abby, a third-grade student at New Hope Elementary School, said,“Three words to describe my feelings about the Junior Ranger program are ‘super, super happy’!” Tyler, another New Hope fourth grader, added,“This is the best school I have been at. I love being a Junior Ranger, I am learning a whole lot and I have so much fun with my new friends.”
NC Beautiful Executive Director, Steve Vacendak, says that the support of The Duke Energy Foundation will help NC Beautiful broaden its reach to empower more citizens to help keep North Carolina beautiful. “This grant serves to reinforce Duke Energy’s continued commitment to environmental education in the state of North Carolina,” says Vacendak. “We congratulate all of our grant recipients, and want to thank The Duke Energy Foundation for helping us educate a new generation on the importance of preserving our environment and natural resources.”
The following is a complete list of The Duke Energy Foundation 2013 Windows of Opportunity Grants recipients, including the name of the teacher submitting the winning entry:
• Sherilyn Hartman, Atkinson Elementary School, Hendersonville (Henderson County)
• Barbara Beane, Farmer Elementary School, Asheboro (Randolph County)
• Terrence Batson, Central Elementary School, Hillsborough (Orange County)
• Kim Kelleher, New Hope Elementary School, Chapel Hill (Orange County)
• Ken Lyall, North Wilkesboro Elementary School, North Wilkesboro (Wilkes County)
• JoAnn Yates, The Children’s Center, Winston-Salem (Forsyth County)
• Kerry Stewart, Hendersonville High School, Hendersonville (Henderson County)
• Lori Pearson, Carver High School, Winston-Salem (Forsyth County)
About NC Beautiful
NC Beautiful (ncbeautiful.org) has been part of the state’s environmental preservation community for over 40 years, supporting awareness, education and beautification efforts that affect the quality of life for all North Carolinians. The organization concentrates on hands-on and merit-based programs designed to empower citizens to preserve the natural beauty of the state of North Carolina. Whether it is school children building outdoor classrooms, graduate students developing cutting edge research, or a Boy Scout troop planting azaleas at an elder care facility, NC Beautiful makes it possible for North Carolinians to keep NC beautiful.
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lcarey[.]ncbeautiful.org 
