In April, the Graham Public Education Foundation (GPEF) awarded Graham ISD with 11 grants totalling $77,476.83. Grants were awarded at each school building with the Graham High School total at $58,101.03. 

Each year, staff members are invited to apply for grants through the GPEF. The process includes staff members collaborating with their building principal to determine if their project would be a good fit for their school and their students. GPEF reviews the applications and awards the grants at various times during the school year. With the help of community donations, GPEF supplies funds for innovative, imaginative, and inspirational projects and programs outside of the regular school budget. 

“We’re grateful for the generous contributions from our Graham Public School Education Foundation,” Superintendent Dr. Mary Johnston said. “These grants will impact a great number of students in each building and will provide unique and valuable learning opportunities. We appreciate the GPEF for being committed to excellence.” 

The 2025 GPEF Grant Awardees include:

Makerspace

Pioneer Elementary School 

$9,899.75 

Submitted by: Elizabeth Adams, Kathy Riggins

Pioneer Elementary School received a grant from the Graham Public Education Foundation for a new Makerspace for all kindergarten classrooms. This space will be a fun and engaging learning space that provides hands-on, creative ways for students to design, experiment, problem solve and apply their learning.

Planners for the Future

Woodland Elementary School

$3,506.58 

Submitted by: Gina Beauchamp and Tessa Boenisch 

GPEF has funded student planners for all students at Woodland Elementary School. These planners will help students and teachers manage daily assignments and schedules. Students will learn how to effectively plan, track assignments and manage their daily responsibilities, fostering lifelong organizational habits.

Expansion and Update of PLTW

Graham Junior High School

$5,969.47 

Submitted by: Kristi Walker and Taylor Patino

GJHS’s Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program will add new tables and chairs to create flexible learning stations within the PLTW classrooms. The goal of the furniture upgrade is to create a more engaging and effective learning environment that fosters problem solving, creative and higher level thinking.

Portable Displays for Art

Graham High School 

$11,240 

Submitted by: Christie Andrews 

GPEF has funded portable displays for Graham High School artists. The portable displays will be used at public events to showcase the outstanding artwork produced by Mrs. Andrews’ artists.

Leather Tooling

Graham High School 

$5,866.28 

Submitted by: Courtney Trammel and Saige Piper 

GPEF funded additional leather tooling supplies that will expand the ability to complete more leather tooling projects in Mrs. Trammel and Mrs. Piper's classrooms. This grant expands upon funding for a grant awarded in the fall.

Welding Shop Materials

Graham High School 

$2,401.20 

Submitted by: Courtney Trammel

The GPEF grant will help the GHS agriculture program update their welding shop materials. Students will create projects from start to finish and then sell the projects to help fund the program in the future. Mrs. Trammel and Mrs. Piper are growing students that are ready for the workforce right out of high school.                                         

UT OnRamps

Graham High School 

$22,590 

Submitted by: Joe Gordy 

Graham High School students will now have the opportunity to begin taking dual enrollment classes through the University of Texas OnRamps program in the fall of 2025. OnRamps is a signature initiative of The University of Texas at Austin established in 2011, with support from the Texas Legislature, to provide advanced academic opportunities to high school students and robust professional development to teachers across the state. 

College Unlimited  

Graham High School 

$10,000

Submitted by: Joe Gordy and Kaci McClendon 

Summer Launch will bring two experienced, independent educational consultants to help Graham High School students achieve their college admissions goals through the College Unlimited program.

Coffee Cart 

Graham High School 

$3,977.57 

Submitted by: Jimi Bates 

The next grant funded by GPEF is the mobile coffee cart at Graham High School. With the help of GPEF, this project has been implemented at each of the other four GISD campuses with great success and now we are excited to see this opportunity for special education students at GHS. Daily management of the coffee cart will provide students an opportunity to gain essential vocational and social skills while serving the community campus.

A Day in the City 

Graham High School 

$630 

Submitted by: Jimi Bates 

A Day in the City will allow senior students served through special education an opportunity to build independent living skills and experience/practice skills they will need after graduation. This GPEF grant is a continuation from past years where students have had wonderful experiences.

Vocational Training/Virtual Access

Graham High School 

$1,395.98 

Submitted by: Kristina Martin 

The GPEF grant will support the expansion of vocational training opportunities for students who are serviced through the special education program in grades 9-12 at GHS. This initiative will provide students with immersive, hands-on experiences to develop job skills, soft skills, and real-world competencies using Virtual Reality (VR) technology.                                       

The Graham Public Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to enriching and enhancing the education of GISD students. The GPEF was officially initiated by the Graham ISD Board of Trustees in October 2010. GPEF operates independently of, but in cooperation with GISD.