Students in the HUB Project at Central School have achieved their goal to secure grant funding for the purchase of a refrigerator at their school large enough to hold perishable snacks for everyone in the after-school program.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
ROCHELLE — Students in the HUB Project at Central School have achieved their goal to secure grant funding for the purchase of a refrigerator at their school large enough to hold perishable snacks for everyone in the after-school program.
The student-led team of third and fourth graders wrote the grant in January and received the news last month they had been chosen. Rochelle Elementary School district teachers Amy Hayden and Sheri Klindera were behind the scenes to help facilitate the process.
The grant, funded by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, included guidelines specifying the project had to be planned and implemented by individuals 19 and younger.
“We are so proud of the kids that they were able to accomplish this goal,” Hayden said. “Several people at the CFNIL told us our kid-written grant was done as well as their adult-written grants, which is such a compliment to their hard work.”
Hayden explained a group of four students were interviewed at CFNIL in mid March, where they had to explain why the grant funding was important.
Last week they attended a reception with other grant recipients that were all in high school, making the HUB kids the youngest there. Hayden said they shared information about their project.
“Our kids shared that we needed to complete this project so the students at Central’s after school program can have healthy snacks each day,” Hayden said. “They said the snacks will help them focus and learn more because their stomachs will be full.”
After the presentation the students were treated to a snack bar full of candy, chocolate, popcorn, pretzels, and cookies.
The students shared how they felt about their achievement.
Adrian Dobberstein said he wasn’t nervous standing in front of everyone at the podium.
“We talked about how the snacks will help us,” Dobberstein said. “I’m happy and proud.”
“I feel good that we got the refrigerator…we can have more snacks,” said Kaylee Hamilton.
“I’m proud. We all achieved something we worked so hard on,” said Owen Miller. “I was excited to go to Rockford and see all of my friends speak.”
The Rochelle Area Community Foundation also contributed with a grant, making the project fully funded. Hayden remarked how well the students worked with the project, taking the task as a team and achieving their goal together.
“Most of all, we are thrilled that the kids were able to give back to the after school program in a way that will still impact future kids long after these 14 students leave Central School,” she added.
