U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union, one of New Mexico’s leading credit unions with more than 95,000 members, announced today the recipients of the 2024 enrichEd® Classroom Grant Program to benefit New Mexico’s public and charter schools. U.S. Eagle’s ARNIA Foundation awarded 10 grants totaling $20,000 to educators from public and charter school K-12 classrooms throughout the state.
“U.S. Eagle and ARNIA Foundation are honored to announce the winners of the enrichEd® Classroom Grants for 2024,” said Marsha Majors, president and CEO of U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union. “We are aware of the challenges many schools face in terms of funding, resources, and innovation and our charitable foundation’s classroom grant program will help the winning teachers create effective classroom environments that excite and motivate New Mexico children to learn.” The individual grants ranged between $500 and $2,500 based on the project. The focus of this year’s enrichEd Classroom Grant Program centered around developing financial literacy and financial wellness programs within the classroom.
The recipients of the 2024 enrichEd Classroom Grant Program include:
Travis Torres, a teacher with Farmington High School, ninth through 12th grades, recipient of a $2,500 grant. The Food Truck Battle project was designed to provide a framework for students learning budgeting and money management in a culinary classroom. They will utilize many financial resources (Banzai, Everfi) to assist them in building a budget to start their food truck.
Lisa Hawkins, a teacher with Ladera Del Norte Elementary School, first grade, recipient of a $1,500 grant. The Apple Project is an entrepreneurship program focusing on making and selling products made from apples. The proceeds from the sales will go to field trips, donations, and student-driven science projects. The funds from the grant will help purchase equipment and materials needed to create the products including apple juice, applesauce, and more.
Eric Meyerhein, a teacher with North Valley Academy in Albuquerque, seventh and eighth grades, recipient of a $2,500 grant.
Neysa Hardin, a librarian with Sandia High School in Albuquerque, ninth through 12th grades, recipient of a $2,500 grant.
Steven Zoncki, a teacher with Digital Arts & Technology Academy in Albuquerque, seventh through 12th grades, recipient of a $2,500 grant.
Jeremy Sturgess, a teacher with Albuquerque Sign Language Academy (ASLA) in Albuquerque, sixth through eighth grades, recipient of a $2,500 grant.
Flor Barraza, community schools coordinator with Kearny Elementary School in Santa Fe, kindergarten through sixth grades, recipient of a $2,500 grant.
Natali Barreto, STEAM and math teacher with Truman Middle School in Albuquerque, seventh and eighth grades, recipient of a $2,000 grant.
Ginita Molina, an educational assistant teacher with Alica Kind Community School in Albuquerque, sixth through eighth grades, recipient of a $1,000 grant.
Theresa Rodriguez, teacher of the gifted, San Antonio SEM Magnet Elementary School in Sandia Park, first through eighth grades, recipient of a $500 grant.
“The ARNIA Foundation was thrilled to receive a large number of applications this year. Our philanthropic committee reviewed and scored each application based on its availability, need, number of students served, and geographic diversity,” said Nadine Buerger, executive director of ARNIA Foundation, U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union’s 501(c)(3) non-profit, privately-held charitable foundation. “In our sixth year, ARNIA Foundation is proud to continue its support for New Mexico’s charter and public-school teachers with grant funding for educational resources and classroom activities.”
For more information about U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union, please visit USEagle.org.
For more information about the ARNIA Foundation, please visit USEagle.org/Foundation.