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Bright Ideas Grant Program
2019
Grant Winners
Blue Ridge Energy supports education of our youth and our schools through a variety of scholarships, grants and learning opportunities.
Each September, Blue Ridge Energy seeks applications from area educators and principals serving grades K-12 in public schools. Bright Ideas grants provide educators with funding of up to $2,000 per grant for innovative classroom projects that benefit students and would not otherwise be covered by the school budget.
Bright Ideas has financed a variety of hands-on projects, including activities in music, art, history, language, reading, science, math, and information technology. Proposals can come from any area of the curriculum. Projects must directly benefit students, provide ongoing benefits, and use innovative teaching methods.
Blue Ridge Energy is celebrating it's 25th year of offering Bright Ideas grants as part of our support and commitment to education. To date, Blue Ridge Energy has awarded more than $519,000 and provided direct funding assistance that has impacted over 100,000 students through 580 different grants.
Full details of the Bright Ideas program can be found at ncbrightideas.com. All applications must be submitted online at the website above.
For more information, please contact Grey Scheer, director of community relations, or visit ncbrightideas.com. Here you will be able to see sample applications, apply online and get the answer to most any question you may have about your "bright idea.” (Note: online applications will be accepted April 1 through September 15.)
For the 2019 school year, Blue Ridge Energy received 122 Bright Ideas grant applications from schools in its service area of Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery and Wilkes counties. Funds totaling $50,000 were awarded directly to 41 classrooms and teachers to benefit thousands of area students, teachers, schools, and communities.
Blue Ridge Energy is part of several North Carolina electric cooperatives providing Bright Ideas grants. Together, we have provided over $12.2 million for North Carolina teachers and students.
2019 Bright Ideas Grant Winners

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Alleghany County
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Photo Album
Dana Russell $1,875
Alleghany High SchoolJill Gambill $1,900
Alleghany High SchoolKelly Luna $789
Glade Creek ElementaryCrystal Royal $1,995
Glade Creek ElementarySusanne Murphy $350
Piney Creek ElementaryMaggie Murphy $1,260
Piney Creek ElementaryCecelia Hampton $1,000
Sparta Elementary -
Ashe County
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Photo AlbumStephen Simms $1,192
Ashe County High SchoolBrian Armstrong $1,448
Ashe County High SchoolDawn Richardson $685
Ashe County Middle SchoolTamara Kearley $1,876
Blue Ridge Elementary SchoolTania Rollins $1,997
Blue Ridge Elementary SchoolColleen Dixon $827
Mountain View Elementary SchoolHolly McClure $1,000
Westwood Elementary SchoolKevin Miller $1,148
Westwood Elementary School -
Caldwell County
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Photo AlbumFreda Parker $1,761
Caldwell Applied Sciences AcademyChad Davis $1,000
Gateway SchoolAmanda Bregel $1,100
Caldwell Early CollegePatricia Hartley $593
Collettsville Elementary SchoolAdrienne Dula $1,750
Gamewell Elementary SchoolCassandra Reed $1,716
Horizons Elementary SchoolDavid Brotherton $1,000
Hudson Middle SchoolCarla Ingram $1,996
South Caldwell High SchoolErin Roper $600
Whitnel Elementary SchoolJenna Bailey $1,351
Hibriten High School -
Watauga County
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Photo AlbumJennifer Brown $580
Green Valley Elementary SchoolAshley Tate $1,960
Mabel Elementary SchoolDanielle Gainey $269
Mabel Elementary SchoolKelly Pettit $761
Parkway ElementaryLindsey Postlethwait $684
Valle Crucis Elementary SchoolGenal West $446
Watauga High SchoolAdrienne Stumb $650
Watauga High SchoolChris Watson $1,936
Green Valley Elemetary SchoolLeah Landrum $1,947
Green Valley Elementary School -
Wilkes County
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Photo AlbumKaryn Church $1,990
Millers Creek Elementary SchoolThelma Kastl $2,000
West Wilkes Middle SchoolKelly Pipes $464
Wilkes Early College High School -
Avery County
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Photo AlbumMark Parlier $1,250
Avery County High SchoolKim Duncan $1,000
Avery Middle SchoolShannon Silver $1,275
Banner Elk ElementaryRobert E. Tufts $500
Cranberry Middle School