Have you ever dreamt of going on a mission trip or attending a skills based summer camp? The Parkway Alumni Association Granting Dreams program is designed to turn your dreams into realities to further your learning or to explore new opportunities.
Any current Parkway student, kindergarten through 12th grade, is eligible to apply for a Dream Grant. Grants of financial support of up to $250 are awarded, as well as grants of community resources and/or alumni support.
In seventh grade, sophomore Clara Sun submitted an application for money to attend a research program at UMSL called STARS, hoping to learn more about science.
“I wanted to apply for a students research program called STARS,” Sun said, “Granting Dreams helped me get the $85 for the entry fee and helped me realize I don’t want to go into research.”
In sixth grade, junior Elizabeth Newell sent in an application to receive money for a figure skating clinic and was awarded the money via Granting Dreams.
“I applied for a figure skating clinic. Figure skating was an extremely expensive sport and the grant was really helpful,” Newell said. “Last year I was funded to compete in a solo dance that I choreographed.”
Hoping to learn about her favorite zoo animals, freshman Ronnie Bueltmann applied for the grant so she could be a Zookeeper for a Day.
“I applied for a class at the Zoo called ‘Zookeeper for a Day’,” Bueltmann said, “It definitely gave me a sense of responsibility when caring for other things. Being able to learn about animals and their habits as well as how to take care of them was an awesome experience.”
Bueltmann’s experience taught her the responsibility of caring for others and inspired her to become a preschool teacher.
Dream applications that are intended for gaining knowledge and skill for future careers, purely recreational use or dreams associated with political or religious intention will not be funded. All Granting Dreams applications must be received by no later than Friday, Feb. 6, 2015 at 4 p.m. to be considered. Click here to download an application.