LHSEF commits to support 11 Educational Foundation grants

The Lemont High School Educational Foundation has committed to supporting 11 Educational Foundation Grants for nearly $31,000. Grant proposals were submitted by Lemont High School faculty and staff, with the goal of enhancing educational opportunities for the school’s enrollment of more than 1,300 students.

The LHSEF is funding in full or in part 11 Educational Foundation Grants for a total of $30,994, with a stipulation that the funds provided for the projects must be used by the end of the 2024-25 school year. 

Included among the latest Educational Foundation Grants are the following proposals: 

• Breakfast Buddies
• Connections LHS
• Creative Threads
• Eco-Friendly Educational Pollinator Gardens
• Gizmos Software for the Biology Curriculum
• Golden Cheer & Dance Team
• Live-Learn-Lemont
• Namaste
• Respect Week
• TeamBuildr – Athletic Performance
• What’s Happening at Lemont Video Series

Photo gallery of grants ceremony

Educational Foundation Grant Summaries

A complete description of all the supported grants, with recipient information and the amount awarded, may be found below.

Lemont High School teachers submitted 11 proposals for grants, requesting more than $35,000. Since 2007, the LHSEF has supported more than $575,000 in grants to benefit Lemont High School.

In addition to funding for Educational Foundation Grants, the LHSEF proudly pledged multi-year support for the transformation of the school’s Learning Resource Center into the CITGO Innovation Academy, which opened in 2018.

A primary reason the LHSEF has been able to provide such significant support to Lemont High School is the success of the “Food for Thought” series. For more than a decade, these celebrations have drawn large crowds of enthusiastic supporters. Typically, the “Taste of Lemont” draws thousands to downtown Lemont, making it one of the most anticipated community events each year.

The LHSEF already is gearing up for this fall’s “Taste of Lemont,” which will take place in downtown Lemont on September 7, 2024. Ticket information will be available this summer. The “Taste of Lemont” once again will be a family friendly event open to all ages and will feature a number of local food and drink establishments as well as live music.

The LHSEF provides revenue and support to Lemont High School in order to enhance educational opportunities and enrich the overall experience for its students. It operates independently from the school, yet fosters the district’s ongoing and systemic efforts to attain the next level of success in all areas of a comprehensive education for all students.

The LHSEF’s mission is to partner with the community to make lasting improvements to Lemont High School that will enhance the total educational experience for all of its students. Its desire is to fund and support programs and opportunities that aid students’ growth, both academically and as citizens of the Lemont community. The LHSEF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization; all gifts are tax-deductible to the extent provided by the law.

Educational Foundation Grants

“Breakfast Buddies”
Funded at $2,300 — proposal by Kelsey Eisele
Since 2006, Breakfast Buddies has helped with socializing for both students with varying ability levels and students who wish to be mentors. Breakfast Buddies is held before school twice a month and attracts dozens of students. Special education students gain confidence and acceptance, helping to make them feel more a part of the Lemont High School community, while their peer mentors gain expertise in working with individuals with diverse abilities. This program promotes inclusivity, social skills, and positive engagement, all of which are skills from which students can benefit.

“Connections LHS”
Funded at $11,500 — proposal by Matt Doherty
A comprehensive school theme for the 2024-25 school year will be for students to forge new connections across the building. This will be modeled after the popular New York Times “Connections” game, but with a Lemont High School twist. The goal is for students to make connections wherever possible, from supporting each other at all types of events, to participating in a school-wide community service project, to organizing a student section at sporting events in all three seasons. This grant will fund the software, prizes, and branding materials needed to incorporate this program into the school.

“Creative Threads”
Funded at $2,100 — proposal by Shannon Jeglinski
With a goal of expanding students’ knowledge and interest in fashion design, this grant will fund the purchase of seven sewing machines to be used in Fine Arts courses. Students already utilize other media in their designs, but this addition will give them the opportunity to bring their designs to life. Sewing provides students with educational, physical and mental benefits, and will open up avenues for creative projects. Ultimately, student work not only will be featured in class, but included in student art shows in Gallery 306.

“Eco-Friendly Educational Pollinator Gardens”
Funded at $500 — proposal by Karen Aleman
Students in Lemont High School’s Field Ecology classes not only discuss ways to improve our planet, but take action to do so. This year, they have worked in local forest preserves to remove invasive species and collect and plant native seeds. Recognizing that native plants are essential to the survival of native pollinators such as the Monarch Butterfly, students have investigated the best way to incorporate these plants onto campus. This grant will cover the purchase of plants that will be installed as a garden along Julia Street on the west side of campus, which will be a colorful addition to the landscape and an educational tool as well.

“Gizmos Software for the Biology Curriculum”
Funded at $920 — proposal by Chris Hardy
Gizmos simulation software has been utilized in Lemont High School’s Honors Biology and AP Biology classes for three years. The software is aligned to Next Generation Science Standards and comes with a host of benefits, from expanding the use of technology in the classroom, to encouraging differentiation to provide opportunities for all students, to allowing students self-guided explorations into content if they are unable to be present for class. This grant will provide funding for an additional teacher license for the software so that it can be used for all levels of Biology classes.

“Golden Cheer & Dance Team”
Funded at $3,500 — proposal by Stephanie Krolo & Meghan Wilcoxen
The Golden Cheer & Dance team, which debuted during the 2023-24 school year, is an inclusive squad whose aim is to promote leadership skills, positive school culture and impactful relationships. Golden Cheer & Dance gives an opportunity to students of all abilities to come together and showcase school pride and a fun spirit through performances and team bonding events. This grant will be used to purchase jackets, t-shirts and bows for each team member in order to promote unity and a positive culture to students of all abilities.

“Live-Learn-Lemont”
Funded at $1,000 — proposal by Amy Cervenka, Meredith Galos & Margie Pilarski
Lemont High School’s LIFE Program is a self-contained program that focuses on Learning for Independence, Friendship, and Employment/Training. Students enrolled in the program’s Life Skills class have diverse needs such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and physical disabilities. In order to expand students’ vocational and community skill options, students will have the chance to create and sell “Lemont swag” that can be sold during spirit weeks and other occasions. This grant will provide funding in order for those projects to begin.

“Namaste”
Funded at $2,101 — proposal by Cindy DeLude & Tracy Rainey
Lemont High School’s Physical Education Department has offered yoga classes for eight years, and the course continues to grow in popularity, with 11 sections offered during the 2023-24 school year. Students have been responsible for bringing their own mats to class, and often need to carry them throughout the day. This grant will cover the purchase of 35 studio grade yoga mats, which will be used by students in every section throughout the year. Students will benefit from having a higher grade mat, a better surface for daily practice, and comfort and consistency.

“Respect Week”
Funded at $500 — proposal by Meagan Drummond, Kelsey Eisele & Meredith Galos
Lemont High School debuted its “Respect Week” in March 2024. This spirit week focuses on inclusion for all students, regardless of differences. The goal of the week is to promote inclusion, acceptance, tolerance, and empathy for all. Various activities get students involved to spread awareness and promote collaboration, which helps students build relationships with peers with whom they may not typically interact, as well as facilitate new conversations and new friendships. This grant will be used the cover the cost of some of the “Respect Week” activities for the upcoming school year.

“TeamBuildr – Athletic Performance”
Funded at $1,500 — proposal by John Coneset, Willie Hayes & Tracy Rainey
Lemont High School offers a comprehensive athletic program aimed at developing students’ physical abilities, character, and leadership skills, and the Athletic Performance classes offered through the Physical Educational Department play a crucial role by providing students with specialized training to achieve their full potential. This grant will be used to purchase licensing for the TeamBuildr strength and conditioning software platform, which offers a range of features that can be used to enhance team dynamics, improve physical fitness, and foster a culture of accountability and achievement.

“What’s Happening at Lemont Video Series”
Funded at $5,073 — proposal by Angie Duensing
Lemont High School’s Cinema Studies and Film Club students have begun utilizing their talents to produce promotional, instructional, and branding videos for Lemont High School. These videos showcase a variety of programs and student/staff accomplishments, and have been created using equipment that is aged or has been handed down. This grant will be used to purchase camera, sound, and lighting equipment that not only will give students an opportunity for hands-on experience, but also produce videos of a higher quality.