COLERIDGE, Neb. (KTIV) – Students and faculty at Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Middle School received a grant of $4,948.01.

The grant comes after 320 applications were received across the United States and 36 rural communities received a total of $170,000 from the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) and a local telephone company.

The grant was awarded to Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Middle School by FRS and the Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NNTC), according to a release from NNTC.

On Tuesday, October 29, Principal Mark Leonard, alongside 6th grade students and faculty members, received the scholarship in the middle school’s Imagination and Creation Destination class, AKA Makerspace.

Leonard says they look forward to using the grant to upgrade the school’s equipment.

“We will use the $5,000 to improve our laser engraving technology. We have an engraver and work with him a lot. We also want to make this (Makerspace) mobile, extending it to our STEM classes so we can integrate these tools into their classrooms,” Leonard said.

The classroom was introduced in August 2023 to combine updated technology with the college curriculum. In the classroom, students can gain experience with several technology tools, including graphic design, 3D printing and more.

Tenlie Christiansen and Aizlynn Kossler, LCC 6th graders, say the classroom provides students with more fun and interactive activities.

“There are more fun things to do,” Christiansen said.

Kossler added: “And it’s more interactive, allowing us to explore beyond what we normally would.”

Pat McElroy of Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company says the company is happy to play a role in making this grant happen for LCC.

“We are proud to present this check to LCC Middle School. When young people can use technology to learn, especially about career opportunities at the college level, it’s a win-win. We are happy to play a role in making this happen,” McElroy said.

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