Grant money at D. W. Daniel High School finances student performances

The grant money given us has been a great asset to the Creative Writing Program. In the first semester, we used the grant to finance performances at our Prufrock Cafe. The Prufrock Cafe is our school's way of presenting student work. During lunch students gather at a courtyard to listen to each other read selections, mostly student-written selections. Your grant allowed us to offer snacks and drinks to readers and listeners, a great addition to the overall atmosphere. In the second semester, we used the money in various ways. We awarded small honoraria to outside speakers, we purchased supplies, and we bought snacks for class readings and presentations. This was especially useful for several student projects where students drew, painted, listened to music, and used modeling clay to get their right brains involved. Today I used the last of the funds to purchase books of poetry for prizes. As a final exam, students will choose the best piece written during the class, and the students with the most votes will be awarded a book of poetry to commemorate the honor and keep them involved with writing and reading. Without the small grant, many of these small pleasures would have been impossible.
Nancy V. Swanson - Teacher
D. W. Daniel High School
Central, South Carolina