Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NNTC) and The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) are proud to announce a grant of nearly $5,000 awarded to Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Middle School in Coleridge.
Principal Mark Leonard, alongside sixth-grade students and other faculty members, accepted a grant totaling $4,948.01 from NNTC on Oct. 29 at the middle school’s Imagination and Creation Destination classroom.
In August 2023, the Imagination and Creation classroom, also known as Makerspace, was introduced at the school. The class is designed to integrate modern technology into the middle school curriculum, providing students with hands-on training and instruction. Students utilize various technological tools, including graphic design software, 3D printing, heat press technology, vinyl cutters, and laser engraving.
“We’re going to use the $5,000 to upgrade our laser engraving technology. We have one engraver and do a lot of work with it. We also want to make this [Makerspace] mobile, branching it out to our STEM classes so we can bring these tools into their classrooms,” Mr. Leonard shared with NNTC.
“There’s more fun things to do,” said sixth grader Tenlie Christiansen. Aizlynn Kossler added, “And it’s more interactive, allowing us to explore beyond what we would normally get to do.”
“We’re proud to present this check to LCC Middle School. When youth can use technology to learn—especially about career opportunities at the middle school level—it’s a win-win. We’re happy to play a part in making this happen,” said NNTC GM Pat McElroy.
Over 320 applications for this grant were received from across the U.S., and 36 rural communities were awarded a total of $170,000 from FRS in collaboration with their local telephone companies. For a complete list of awardees, visit FRS online at www.frs.org.
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Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company is a telephone, internet and television service provider headquartered in Jackson, NE. NNTC serves 30 communities throughout 24 counties in northeast Nebraska. Founded in 1955, NNTC is one of Nebraska’s first telephone cooperatives providing fiber service to 100% of its customers——
The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and its members, seeks to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America by advancing an understanding of rural issues. Through scholarships, grants, and a variety of educational programs, FRS focuses on educating rural youth, encouraging community development and introducing policymakers to challenges unique to rural communities. Visit us at www.frs.org.
