Foundation Announces 2025–26 Quarter 4 ELEVATE! Grants
The Education Foundation is pleased to announce the quarter four recipients of ELEVATE! Grants, an initiative created to better support educators and students.
For the 2025-26 quarter four cycle, the foundation approved five ELEVATE! Grants, totalling over $12,000 to fund innovative classroom projects and learning opportunities across the district.
Chad Brown at Mill Valley High School received a grant for Science Olympiad Summer Coaching Institute, a professional‑development experience that will allow him to attend the Science Olympiad Summer Institute and gain knowledge and skill to further elevate his students’ STEM skills and competition success.
Elena Kolbrek De Leon received a grant for Strolling Strings, an interactive, student‑led orchestra model for student musicians in USD 232 to perform from memory while moving throughout the space, building confidence, leadership, and technical skill as they bring music directly to audiences in schools and the community.
Dawn Landry (Monticello Trails Middle School), Gina Miller (Mill Creek Middle School), and Dustin Parks (Lexington Trails Middle School) received a grant for 3D Design and Modeling: A project that will expand middle school CAD and 3D‑printing design work by adding an additional printer, enabling students to complete client‑based, problem‑solving projects more efficiently while giving them greater opportunities to apply real technical skills.
Traci Seyb at Riverview Elementary received a grant for STEAM Chomp Saw Bundle, a project that will provide Chomp saws, accessory sets, and cardboard‑building kits to support hands‑on engineering practice, giving students safe, creative tools for exploring design, extending learning, and engaging in meaningful construction activities inspired by proven classroom models.
Quin Showalter at Lexington Trails Middle School and Mill Creek Middle School received a grant for Make48 Innovation Experience, a project that will immerse middle school students in the Make48 Experience, teaming them with real industry partners to research a problem, design and prototype solutions, and pitch their ideas while building creativity, critical thinking, and career‑ready skills.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, USD 232 educators can continue bringing imaginative, hands-on learning experiences to students, sparking creativity and new opportunities throughout the year. The support of our donors ensures every student has the chance to reach their full potential.