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NC Beautiful has announced the winners of the 2010 Windows of Opportunity (WOO) Grants from The Duke Energy Foundation. Sixteen schools were awarded WOO Grants, representing a total of over $15,000 in educational grants. WOO Grants 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, SVP of EH&S and president of The Duke Energy Foundation, says that the Foundation has enjoyed a good and long-standing relationship with NC Beautiful and that reaching out to children now about the importance of environmental preservation is a sound investment for the future. “Supporting environmental education in the classroom can excite the minds of many students to explore and pursue future careers in science,” says Williams. “The Foundation’s contribution to NC Beautiful is an example of how one grant can become a catalyst for many to study and experience environmental education.”
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.”
Duke Energy Manager of Sports Venues and NC Beautiful Board Director, Robin Nicholson, says that NC Beautiful is a reflection of the environmental focus Duke Energy has maintained for years and is an outlet for continued improvement in the various initiatives in which Duke Energy is involved. “The Windows of Opportunity Grants are an excellent way to help develop the environmental awareness of the youth of our state and help them further understand the impact we all have on the environment.”
The following is a list of The Duke Energy Foundation 2010 Windows of Opportunity Grants recipients, including the name of the teacher submitting the winning entry:
• Tracey Widmann, AEC-Day Treatment Program, Marion (McDowell County)
• Lenora Barron, Weddington Hills Elementary School, Concord (Cabarrus County)
• Nancy Bryant, Burlington Christian Academy, Burlington (Alamance County)
• Kathleen Conroy, Providence Spring Elementary, Charlotte (Mecklenburg County)
• Carolyn Sanders, Grier Middle School, Gastonia (Gaston County)
• Beth Anello, Cameron Park Elementary School (Orange County)
• Kitty Heller, Carrboro Elementary School (Orange County)
• Tiffany Clarke, Highland Creek Elementary School (Mecklenburg County)
• Donna Belk, Pumpkin Center Intermediate School, Lincolnton (Lincoln County)
• Susan Mademann, Central Davie Academy, Mocksville (Davie County)
• Kezzia Haynes, River Oaks Academy, Charlotte (Mecklenburg County)
• Patricia Cramer, Kiser Intermediate School, Lincolnton (Lincoln County)
• Susan Steiner, Macon Early College High School, Franklin (Macon County)
• Sheryl Finegan, Glenwood Elementary School, Chapel Hill (Orange County)
• Michelle L’Archeveque, International Business and Communication Studies at Olympic High School, Charlotte (Mecklenburg County)
• Travis Gentry, Wilkes Central, Wilkesboro (Wilkes County).
About NC Beautiful
NC Beautiful (ncbeautiful.org) has been part of the state’s environmental preservation community for 40 years, supporting awareness, education and beautification efforts that affect our quality of life. Today, we concentrate on hands-on and merit-based programs designed to empower our citizens to preserve the natural beauty of the state of North Carolina. Whether it’s school children building outdoor classrooms, graduate students developing cutting edge research, or a Boy Scout troop planting azaleas at an elder care facility, we make it possible for North Carolinians to keep NC Beautiful.
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lcarey[.]ncbeautiful.org 
