Brawley school wins $10K

BRAWLEY — The community here celebrated more than the good grades and perfect attendance of students at Barbara Worth Junior High School’s morning assembly Friday.

Principal Brian O’Donnell announced the school had been selected as a $10,000 grant winner in the Monsanto Fund’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education.

The grant will be used to help enhance math and science education. O’Donnell anticipated the grant would be put into effect sometime next semester.

“The grant will provide our students with quality hands-on experience in science-related projects like solar power and other forms of alternative energy,” O’Donnell said.

The school’s science teachers will be the ones to manage the projects, O’Donnell said.

“We have a great science department and great teachers,” he said. “We’re all very excited.

Bo Shropshire of Helena Chemical was on hand to present the check to O’Donnell and share the importance of the grant.

“Only 179 junior highs and high schools in the nation were awarded this grant,” Shropshire said at the assembly. “And in the state, only four schools were chosen and Barbara Worth was one of them. Brawley should be very proud.”

Shropshire said he was happy to present the grant that was made possible by the local farmers who nominated the school.

“I’m originally from Blythe, but my kids came to school in Brawley and it’s something I am proud to do,” he said.

Brawley Elementary School District Superintendent Ronald Garcia said he was grateful for the opportunity the grant would provide for the students.

“With the growing popularity of geothermal and solar energy in the Valley, the students will have the opportunity to learn about it early on and be made aware of the career opportunities they can bring,” Garcia said.

“I’m thankful to Mr. O’Donnell for organizing this event and thankful to (former school principal) Luis Panduro, who was the principle writer of the grant.”

Staff Writer Karina Lopez can be reached at 760-337-3439 or klopez@ivpressonline.com