Students Step Up To Take Part In MTEF
"These guys are trailblazers," said Chris Flores, vice president of the board of the Manheim Township Education Foundation (MTEF) and chair of the organization's grant disbursement committee.
"They are leaving a legacy," added Becca Stamp, development and communication manager with MTEF.
Both MTEF representatives were referring to Manheim Township High School (MTHS) senior Noel Shabu and junior Michael Vogt, the current student impact representatives for MTEF and the first Student Impact Fund grant distribution committee members, who will help give out grants in $1,000 increments with MTEF executive director Jenny Germann. MTEF has awarded more than 540 grants to enhance a variety of educational experiences in Manheim Township School District. Up to $5,000 has been allocated to fund grants submitted by MTHS students this school year.
Flores believes that MTEF is the first educational foundation in the county to add students as non-voting members to its board. "We have wanted to get students more engaged," said Flores, who noted that giving the students board seats involves them directly in the grant vetting process and benefits MTEF by providing student feedback. Flores noted that strategic discussions pointed to a need for a better connection with students. Students have always been eligible to apply for grants, but few have done so, and recent applicants reported that the process was cumbersome.
Shabu said that he thought the idea for the program was fantastic from the moment he first heard of it during school announcements. He noted that becoming a student representative was a way to improve the school and make sure the voices of the students are heard. Vogt agreed with Shabu that the opportunity could be a good way to make an impact.
Now, the pair are working to let students know that the grant process for students has been streamlined. "We are looking for things the whole school community can benefit from," said Vogt, who noted that student grants will be reviewed as they come in and that he, Shabu, and Germann will work with students to help them improve their requests.
"That (grant process) was driven by these guys," said Flores of Shabu and Vogt. Flores worked with the students and Germann with a goal of making it more student friendly. "They developed the guidelines," Flores said. He added that a teacher and a principal must be involved in the grant request for oversight.
"Part of our job is to get the word out," said Shabu, who noted that he and Vogt had met with Student Council members. "We need to make the student body aware of what we are offering and get the clubs involved."
Vogt is looking forward to passing some grants, especially grants that would build something physical in the school. "I would like to do something like that that can be seen every day coming in the school," he said.
Readers who would like to learn more about MTEF may visit http://www.mtef.net.
Leave a Review