BCSD News Release: BCSD Educators Secure More Than $27,800 in Literacy, STEM and Classroom Grants

BCSD Educators Secure More Than $27,800 in Literacy, STEM and Classroom Grants 

BARNWELL, S.C. — September 21, 2026 — Barnwell County School District educators are creating new opportunities for students after securing more than $27,800 in literacy and classroom funding, along with additional STEM grants from Savannah River National Laboratory.

The awards from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, SRNL and DonorsChoose will support projects ranging from literacy and science to student wellness, technology, the arts and hands-on learning.

GBMS Teachers Receive $10,000 in SRNL STEM Grants

Guinyard-Butler Middle School teacher Ashton Myrick and Director of the Star Academy, Denise James, each received a $5,000 educator grant from Savannah River National Laboratory, bringing the school’s combined award to $10,000.

James and Myrick were recognized Tuesday evening, September 8, at the Tom Young Center for Research and Innovation. The evening included dinner, an awards presentation and a celebration of educators who are helping expand meaningful STEM learning opportunities for students throughout the Central Savannah River Area.

SRNL’s educator grant program provides funding to help teachers bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts to life through creative, hands-on classroom experiences. The grants allow educators to purchase materials, introduce new learning activities and give students opportunities to explore real-world STEM applications.

Ridgeway Receives $4,000 Youth Literacy Grant

Amy Ridgeway, media specialist at Blackville-Hilda High School, received a $4,000 Youth Literacy Grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for her project, “Read, Dream, Achieve.”

The Youth Literacy Grant program supports schools, public libraries and nonprofit organizations working to help students strengthen their reading skills. Funding may be used to purchase books, instructional materials, technology and other resources that promote literacy and encourage a lifelong love of reading.

Through “Read, Dream, Achieve,” Ridgeway will expand literacy opportunities and provide resources designed to engage students in reading, encourage personal growth and inspire them to envision future possibilities.

DonorsChoose Projects Bring $13,841 to BCSD Classrooms

Twenty-one BCSD educators also received $13,841 through 34 fully funded DonorsChoose projects since returning for the 2026-2027 academic year.

DonorsChoose is a nonprofit platform that allows individuals and organizations to contribute directly to classroom projects submitted by public school educators. Once a project is fully funded, the requested materials and resources are provided to the school.

The fully funded BCSD projects include:

Blackville-Hilda High School — $3,758

• Thomas Edwards: “Greek Mask Supplies” — $174
• Thomas Edwards: “Technical Theater PPE & Drill” — $265
• Thomas Edwards: “Stage Makeup Hygiene and Prep” — $196
• Showri Bellamkonda: “Classroom Supplies for Science Class” — $465
• Showri Bellamkonda: “Hands-on Science” — $1,544
• Shanna Bea: “Magnetic Minds in Motion” — $392
• Shanna Bea: “Greener Spaces, Happier Faces” — $296
• Kate Denoya: “Help Us Get Organized for Success!” — $426

Williston-Elko High School — $1,501

• Pauline Molijon: “From Words—Giving Every Student a Voice to Be Heard” — $293
• Pauline Molijon: “Making Student Work Classroom-Worthy” — $337
• Jessica Catid: “Interactive Notebooks That Bring Learning to Life” — $284
• Jessica Catid: “Equipping Our Classroom for Literacy Success” — $237
• Gina Jameson: “Keep Looking Up” — $187
• Supreethi Mukthipudi: “TPT: A Resource Guide for High School Special Education” — $163

Guinyard-Butler Middle School — $3,023

• Hannah Johnson: “Warm Wishes and Bright Ideas for Christmas” — $387
• Hannah Johnson: “Christmas Creativity Kits for My Classroom” — $234
• Hannah Johnson: “Building Curiosity Through STEM Exploration & Daily Learning Tools” — $466
• Teresa Hutto: “Sensory Garden” — $233
• Ashton Myrick: “Planting the Future at GBMS” — $763
• Michael Pisacreta: “Feed Our 3D Printer!” — $940

Barnwell Primary School — $2,053

• Emily Coble: “Growing Minds and Bodies” — $861
• Emily Coble: “Growing More Than Minds in Pre-K!” — $716
• Alyson Collins: “Art Materials for a Good Year in Art!” — $476

Williston-Elko Middle School — $1,027

• Ann Omison: “Part 2: Bringing The Outsiders to Life: Building Empathy Through Literature” — $342
• Lisa Howard: “Man, Oh Man—We Love Manga! (Part 2)” — $267
• Lisa Howard: “Give Our Graphic Novels a Refresh!” — $222
• Lisa Howard: “Graphic Novels Are Magic for the Middle!” — $196

Barnwell High School — $1,022

• Wico Santiago: “Learning Essentials” — $756
• Rachel Mayfield: “Rivaling Indifference” — $266

Macedonia Elementary-Middle School — $565

• Maryann Bassilla: “Mystery Quest” — $274
• Maryann Bassilla: “Empowering Engaged Learners” — $291

Barnwell County Career Center — $296

• Mercedes Walker: “Room to Breathe: A Safe Space for Student Mental Health” — $296

Kelly Edwards Elementary School — $596

• Heather Schafer: “Rewards for Scholarly Behavior” — $166
• Yadira Truitt: “Building Friendships & Foundational Skills” — $430

Together, these 34 projects will provide meaningful resources that support student learning, creativity and well-being. The funded projects include literacy and science materials, technical theater equipment, visual arts supplies, classroom organization tools, special education resources, gardening materials, technology, student incentives and mental health supports.

“We are incredibly proud of these educators for identifying creative ways to enrich learning and securing the resources needed to bring their ideas to life,” said BCSD Superintendent Dr. Crissie Stapleton. “Each award represents an educator who saw an opportunity to make a difference and took the initiative to pursue it. We are also deeply grateful to the organizations and individual donors who continue to invest in our schools and students.”

These awards reflect BCSD educators’ commitment to innovation and their dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences in which every student can grow, explore and succeed.

Barnwell County School District congratulates all of the recipients and thanks the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Savannah River National Laboratory, and DonorsChoose supporters for investing in public education across Barnwell County.

Every Student Matters. Every Moment Counts.

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Email: BCSDNews@bcsd.net