STCU awards grants

Teachers at Grand Coulee Dam and Almira school districts are among those in 10 districts in the Columbia Basin and north-central Washington to receive $200 for their classrooms this year from STCU, the credit union said in a release.

STCU, which was founded by high school teachers in 1934, was again honoring its roots by awarding a total of $20,000 to 100 randomly drawn educators. Winners can spend their grants on anything that will enhance students’ classroom experience, whether a basic need or something special.

Local winners, who were notified this month, are: Jessica Tufts, Lake Roosevelt Elementary School; Natasha McCall and Tracy Wilson, Almira Elementary and Middle School; Cami Heath, Creston Elementary School; Maricar Najera, Brewster Elementary School; Rebecca Gordon and Marijean Baird, Lind Elementary School; Donna Koch, Lind-Ritzville High School; Jana Hardy, Larson Heights Elementary School; Ryan Thompson, Virginia Grainger Elementary School; Elizabeth Chambers, Omak High School; Shannon Johnson, Omak Middle School; Samantha Lewis, Hiawatha Elementary School; Lacii Rundquist, Washtucna School District.

The online drawing was open to teachers, counselors, and other classroom-based positions at public and private districts served by Washington ESDs 101, 123 and 171, or in the eight northernmost counties of Idaho. 2024 marks the 11th year that STCU has offered the grants.