From North Wasco County Education Foundation:
By Kelsey Alsheimer
The Dalles, Ore. Nov. 9, 2026 — The North Wasco County Education Foundation (NWCEF) is proud to announce the recipients of its Fall 2026 Classroom Mini-Grant awards. Ten projects across North Wasco County School District 21 received a combined $7,476 to support creative, hands-on, and student-centered educational experiences.
Fall 2026 Mini-Grant Awardees
Jack Farrell (JD Fierce), Dry Hollow Elementary – Stage Mics for Dry Hollow Drama Club.
Teresa Manzo, Colonel Wright Elementary – Emergency Clothing & Basic Needs Closet.
Kelly Smutz, The Dalles Middle School – Crime Scene Diorama.
Erin Flynn, The Dalles High School – Earthquake Shake Table! Hands-on Inquiry.
Ashlie Sorestad, Mosier Community School – Creative Minds: Art and Science in Full Color.
Jacob McNeal, Innovations Academy – Aerospace Engineering Capstone: Applied Physics, Geometry, and Rocketry Data Analytics.
Luke Vieira, Colonel Wright Elementary – SECRETS of the Sagebrush Steppe.
Nadia Telles, The Dalles Middle School – Building Lifesaving Skills: Emergency Preparedness and First Aid.
Ajay Rundell, Chenowith Elementary – SECRETS of the Sagebrush Steppe.
Lourdes Rivernystrom, Chenowith Elementary – Experiential Financial Literacy & Career Exploration at JA BizTown.
The funded projects span performing arts, student basic needs, STEM and aerospace engineering, ecology, emergency preparedness, and financial literacy. Together, they reflect the breadth of educators’ ideas for engaging students in meaningful learning.
Demand for classroom support was especially high this fall, with more than $28,000 in funding requests. With a limited grant budget, the Foundation’s selection committee faced difficult choices among many worthwhile proposals.
“The range of innovative ideas submitted by our local educators reflects their commitment to creating meaningful, engaging learning experiences for students,” said Kelsey Alsheimer, Administrative Director of NWCEF. “With more than $28,000 requested, our committee had to make some very difficult funding decisions. We’re excited to support these ten projects, but the level of need underscores why continued community investment in our classrooms matters so much.”
About the Classroom Mini-Grants Program
The North Wasco County Education Foundation’s Classroom Mini-Grants Program provides funding directly to educators and staff within North Wasco County School District 21 for innovative classroom projects and enrichment opportunities that may not otherwise be possible through traditional school budgets. The program supports hands-on learning, creativity, community engagement, and student-centered experiences. NWCEF offers both spring and fall funding cycles annually.
Supporting Education Through Community Investment
The Classroom Mini-Grants Program is made possible through the generosity of individual donors, businesses, and community partners. In 2026, the program was significantly expanded through a $75,000 contribution from Google, helping NWCEF invest directly in classrooms, teachers, and student learning opportunities throughout the district.
“We are grateful to Google and our local supporters for making these opportunities possible,” said Alsheimer. “Every additional contribution helps us respond to more of the great ideas coming from our educators.”
For more information about NWCEF, future grant cycles, or ways to support local education, visit https://northwascoed.com/. To donate, visit https://northwascoed.com/donate.
Media Contact: North Wasco County Education Foundation | nwascoedfoundation@gmail.com
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