PHM Education Foundation reports record grants; students highlight STEM and Early College achievements

The PHM Education Foundation told the Penn‑Harris‑Madison Board April 20 that it funded a record 65 grants this year totaling $73,715 and plans to disperse $100,000 in its next grant cycle.

Jennifer Tonbla, executive director of the PHM Education Foundation, said, “We funded 65 grants and dispersed $73,715.” She noted the foundation’s gala raised more than $245,000, the endowment exceeded $1 million, and the foundation has returned $1.9 million to PHM schools since inception. Tonbla described several funded projects including a $10,000 digital recognition display and a Kingsmen Forge grant that supplied an English wheel used by students to form large sheet‑metal pieces.

Board members applauded the foundation’s fundraising and impact; Tonbla said the group is beginning the next grant cycle and anticipates awarding larger totals moving forward.

Students from the STEM Academy and Early College later presented examples of classroom and extracurricular work supported by district and foundation efforts. Danielle Celeberti described MARS, a student program that brings university professors into school buildings; sophomore and senior students detailed robotics, regional science fair success and internships. Early College leaders said 94 seniors earned associate degrees this year and that the program generated roughly $8.1 million in college credit value for that senior class in aggregate.

Board members thanked students and invited them to upcoming events; presenters encouraged board attendance at a May 21 student event to see the work in person.