Art for a cause

GBHS students create items for 428 Foundation auction

By DALE HOGG

This marks the 20th year that the Unified School District 428 Education Foundation has awarded mini-grants to district teachers.

So, during the foundation’s annual fund-raising dinner next Tuesday evening, there will be a new twist on the live auction. Up for bid will be unique items made by Great Bend High School ceramics, woodworking and technology students. The one-of-a-kind items will include about 20 decorative ceramic serving plates, 20 inlaid wooden bread boards and 16 laser-engraved coasters/hand-held games. There will also be an oak table with a laser-cut metal panther head tabletop under mounted lighting.

USD 428 Education Foundation dinner/auction: The fundraiser is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Club at StoneRidge. The evening will feature an Italian dinner and entertainment by the Great Bend High School Madrigal Pops Singers. Following the dinner will be the auction.

“This is some really neat stuff,” said Jennifer Schartz, district public relations director. “These kids have worked very hard on these items.”

Teachers taking part include: Ceramics teacher Liz Bowman, whose students crafted the ceramic plates; technology instructor Jake Hofflinger, whose students designed and created the engraved, plastic coasters, and assembled them; industrial arts teacher Robert Johnson, whose students made the laser-cut panther head for a table; and woodworking teacher Travis Straub, whose kids provided wooden bread boards and the rest of the table.

“No one of them is the same,” Bowman said of the plates made by her ceramics I and II students. “That’s what I like about art.” Her comments were about the ceramics projects, but they apply to all the items on the auction block.

The Education Foundation is celebrating its 20th year of providing funds to Great Bend teachers through mini-grants. Each year, teachers apply for grants to help supplement their programs that would otherwise be unfunded. “What this does is enhance education,” Schartz said.

In 2008-2009, the Foundation gave out $6,744 in grants. Since 1989, the foundation has raised and awarded nearly $200,000.

Last year was the first year for the auction. Sold were items made by Bowman’s class on equipment purchased through one of the grants. This gave bidders a chance to see where their money was going.

Hofflinger said more teachers were asked to take part this year. The answer was an obvious “yes” since the projects gave the students an opportunity to practice what they’ve learned and gain valuable experience working for a customer. The projects work into their curriculum and the Foundation reimburses the teachers for the cost of the materials.

“This seems to be a good fit,” Schartz said.

In addition to raising money, the idea also provides recognition to the teachers who don’t often get into the spotlight.