Log in

Warrensburg Schools Foundation awards Nancy Rutherford Classroom Impact Grants

Posted

Warrensburg Schools Foundation announced the recipients of its 2025 Nancy Rutherford Mid-Year Classroom Impact Grants on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Members from the Foundation’s board traveled to Warrensburg Middle School, Gateway Educational Center, and Warrensburg High School to award three grants totaling $5,057.78.

"Our Classroom Impact Grants are an investment in the creativity and dedication of our educators and students," said Bob Lotspeich, Board President. "By providing resources that inspire innovation and hands-on learning, we’re empowering our teachers to create meaningful and lasting educational experiences for their students."

Picture Perfect: Supporting Student Media with Camera Equipment, the Warrensburg Middle School grant provides funding to the Warrensburg Middle School Photography Club, sponsored by Sheila Moore and Natasha Parsons, for the purchase of essential equipment, including two Canon Rebel T7 kits, backpacks, LP-E10 replacement batteries,  SD cards, and a secure lockable storage cabinet. This support will enable students to develop their photography skills with professional-grade equipment while ensuring safe and organized storage for continued creative growth.

The Gateway Educational Center grant, 3D Printer Attachment, received by Terri Jo McAllister, will enhance the capabilities of a 3D printer funded by a Department of the Air Force STEM Grant. The multi-spool attachment will not only expand the printer’s functionality but also align with the Air Force STEM Grant’s mission to inspire the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers.

The Warrensburg High School grant, Lenses for Legacy: Empowering Yearbook Storytelling, allocates ding for Mikayla Kuck and Yearbook staff to acquire two refurbished Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lenses, aimed at elevating the quality and creativity of their student-produced yearbook. This investment will empower students to capture high-resolution, dynamic images that showcase school events and memories, enriching the overall visual storytelling of the yearbook.

Nancy Rutherford Mid-Year Classroom Impact Grants were created in 2020 by Bob and Jane Rutherford to honor Bob’s mom, Nancy. A beloved Warrensburg School District Elementary Teacher and Librarian, Mrs. Rutherford’s passions were her family, her church, music, education and traveling. Her love of reading and teaching students to read inspired her to help create the Young Authors Conference in 1983 at Central Missouri State University, now known as the University of Central Missouri. Hundreds of students attend the conference annually to learn about writing, storytelling, and publishing through workshops with authors.

Release courtesy of the Warrensburg Schools Foundation. 


X
X