Muskogee 7th & 8th Grade Academy Recipient of Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant
Launch the media gallery 1 playerMUSKOGEE, Okla. - With a growing band program throughout the district, Muskogee 7th & 8th Grade Academy at Ben Franklin was one of eight schools named Monday as a grant recipient of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant.
The $40,000 grant will supplement the ever-growing junior high band program with additional instruments for students.
“It’s a great opportunity for Muskogee to receive this Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant for our band program. Our growth is so fast right now which we are excited about but we are having a big challenge staying up with the instruments we need, especially the larger, more expensive instruments. It’s really a God-send for us to receive this as we will be able to stay up with our growth,” said Jerry Huffer, Fine Arts Coordinator.
Muskogee Public School has seen band participation double over the last five years and this year introduced band courses to sixth-grade students with the opening of the 6th Grade Academy at Grant Foreman. With 450 students participating in the band program across the district and 150 of those being sixth-grade students, the 7th & 8th Grade Academy understands the growth that its band classes will see in the upcoming school year.
“We are extremely honored to be selected as a recipient of this grant which will continue to boost an already striving and growing band program not only at the 7th & 8th Grade Academy but throughout the district,” said Ryan Buell, Principal of the 7th & 8th Grade Academy. “Engaging students is so important to their academic success and providing a quality music education is one avenue for students to explore during such a developmental stage. We are excited to be able to provide our students with new and improved instruments.”
Muskogee 7th & 8th Grade Academy at Ben Franklin was among eight schools selected by the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant Program which granted $250,620.09 to schools in California, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. Since 2009, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation has donated nearly $5.9 million through the Champions Grant.
Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grants are awarded annually to K-12 public and charter schools in and around Chandra and Jimmie’s hometowns in California and Oklahoma, as well as their current residence in North Carolina. Schools in eligible districts can apply for $20,000-$75,000 to help address their most critical needs in the following categories: Arts, Health & Wellness, Language and Literacy, School Improvements, and Science and Technology.
For more information regarding the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and to see a detailed list of the 2019 Champions Grant projects, please visit https://jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org/.
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