On the surface, it seemed impossible for the SCUC Education Foundation to surpass the amazing accomplishments realized in the fall of 2023. New Teacher Grants, the annual Innovative Teaching Grants, and the One Community Kick for Scholarship were all brilliant achievements. Every campaign infused money to further educational outcomes, and more importantly, a renewed energy for the community partnerships and sense of belonging for all.
It would have been easy for the Education Foundation to rest on its laurels during the spring of 2024, happy that it had made a difference for the school year. But complacency was nowhere to be found, as members who worked with a collective, “Let us show you something” attitude to provide an exclamation point on the school year.
First on the docket for the spring was the Education Foundation book donation. Working in collaboration with Scholastic Books, Foundation members delivered approximately 1100 books to pre-K and kindergarten schools at all SCUC elementary schools in February.
“It was such a magical day,” said Veronica Goldhorn, VP of Development for the Education Foundation, who joined a caravan of Education Foundation trustees for the campus visits. “It brought so much joy to these kids.” Students had a choice of two books provided by Scholastic, How to Hug a Pufferfish and Strictly No Elephants. “It was a joyful opportunity to be able to get that free book and put it in the hands of a student.”
Another Education Foundation member unwittingly became the star of the event. Amy Massey, CTE Director for SCUC, donned the outfit of Clifford the Big Red Dog without any hesitation, and spent the day as a rock star, mobbed by the young students for hugs.
“The Foundation was looking at transportation and I was the only one who could drive the white minibus,” Massey said laughing. “I volunteered to (be Clifford) and it was a lot of fun. It really was.”
Change was the keyword to the annual SCUC Education Foundation Golf Tournament. First, it was renamed to the David Pevoto Par-Tee for Programs Golf Tournament, in honor of the longtime educator, principal, Board Trustee and Foundation Trustee. “I think it was great to be able to honor him and give him a namesake,” said Maddie Riney, VP of Events for the Education Foundation. “He shaped our Education Foundation into what it is today.”
A new venue added to the excitement of the event, as The Bandit Golf Club in New Braunfels became the new host. Over 120 participants enjoyed a clear, breezy day to play 18 holes of golf to benefit the Foundation.
“It had a really good energy and vibe,” said TJ Mitchell, Foundation trustee, golf tournament volunteer and library clerk at Byron P. Steele High School. “It was great to see all my past and present superintendents (Paige Meloni, Dr. Clark Ealy and Dr. Greg Gibson) come together to see us kick off David Pevoto’s Par-TEE for Programs.”
Rave reviews accompanied the event, a credit to the numerous volunteers and organizers on the Education Foundation board, most notably Riney. “We were able to bring in some new volunteers and some new sponsors this year,” said Riney. “It’s awesome to have some first-time donors.”
Celebrations are capping off the Education Foundation’s work for 2023-2024, as members have been descending upon campuses and departments to acknowledge SCUC Teachers and Employees of the Year. The experience of celebrating excellence in the district’s workforce was a reward in itself.
“It made me happy to announce to my fellow Steele Knights and my former Culinary Arts teacher (Amanda Tharp of Samuel Clemens High School),” said Mitchell. While district teachers were already aware they were the honorees for their campuses, department and district honorees were caught off guard when Foundation members paid them a visit to their campus or office, with assistance from the Steele HS cheerleaders and drum line. “To see the smiles and the tears makes it all worthwhile,” he added.
The final flourish will come at the SCUC Commitment to Excellence Awards on May 9, 2024, For the first time ever, the district’s Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, along with the Norma J. Paschal Commitment to Excellence winner, will receive a cash award, courtesy of the SCUC Foundation and the generosity of its sponsors.
“It’s not something they would ordinarily get,” said Goldhorn. “It was easy to ask our community partners. They were “Yeah, that sounds great. We want to do it again.’’
“It’s been a goal of ours to be able to do this,” added Riney. “We’re reaching our goal of finally giving back to teachers, faculty and staff. We hope it’s something we can do for many more years.”
Plans are already underway to grow the Education Foundation’s impact for the 2024-2025 school year. One year of the Foundation’s reconstruction has given way to one year of prodigious achievements, and has whetted everyone’s appetite for even greater heights.
“We’ve grown and evolved and are making a name for ourselves,” Mitchell said, adding that the SCUC Education Foundation is generating a buzz in the district and the greater SCUC community. “Everybody is talking about what we did this year.”
“Businesses are starting to understand the benefits of supporting the teachers and the district,” said Massey. “I’m excited to see where the Foundation is going.”