Alabama Power Foundation awards grants to support public school athletics, arts programs

The Alabama Power Foundation this week awarded Power to Play grants to support arts and athletics programs at dozens of public schools across the Yellowhammer State.

Grants reportedly range from $1,000 to $2,500.

A press release noted studies show that students involved in athletics perform better in the classroom and are more likely to graduate from high school, among other benefits. Students who participate in arts and music programs also tend to score higher on standardized tests, post better school attendance records and have fewer disciplinary issues.

“Power to Play grants support schools and students across our state,” stated Tequila Smith, president of the Alabama Power Foundation. “This year’s grants will help fund a broad range of school programs – from boys and girls team sports and physical education, to music education, band and visual arts. We are excited to support these programs and the opportunities they provide to our young people.”

It should be noted that some of this year’s grants support programs that saw revenues reduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All recipients of Power to Play grants are public schools with 50% or more of their students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Since 2014, Power to Play has awarded more than $430,000 in grants to support arts and athletics programs at schools throughout Alabama.

The 2021 arts grant recipients are:

• Carroll High School – Ozark
• Central High School – Tuscaloosa
• Evergreen Elementary School
• Leeds Middle School
• Scarborough Model Middle School – Mobile
• Southside Preparatory Magnet Academy – Evergreen
• Westlawn Middle School – Tuscaloosa

The 2021 athletics grant recipients are:

• Abbeville High School
• Baker High School – Mobile
• Bibb County High School
• Brilliant School
• Calera High School
• Calhoun High School – Letohatchee
• Chilton County High School
• Dallas County High School
• Demopolis High School
• Fayette County High School
• Gadsden Middle School
• Handley High School – Roanoke
• Headland High School
• Houston County High School
• Jemison Middle School
• Amelia Love Johnson High School – Thomaston
• Leeds Middle School
• Litchfield Middle School – Gadsden
• Montevallo Middle School
• Oxford Middle School
• J.B. Pennington High School – Blountsville
• Phillips High School – Bear Creek
• B.C. Rain High School – Mobile
• Selma High School
• Slocomb High School
• Southside High School – Selma
• Sulligent High School
• Talladega County Central High School
• Thomasville High School
• Verbena High School
• Wilson Hall Middle School PTO – Grove Hill
• Winterboro High School – Alpine.