Poplar Bluff Junior High was among 50 schools nationwide, and only two in Missouri, out of over 500 applicants to be awarded a $1,000 Thomas R. Brown Athletics grant on Thursday, May 25, during a schoolwide assembly.

The funding will go toward the Girls Basketball program to replace outdated and worn uniforms, new basketballs and ball racks, according to the grant application written by Hilary Taylor, Junior High elective teacher.

Often the student-athletes have to fundraise and seek sponsorships in order to finance supplies, according to Taylor. “A lot of times girls’ sports don’t get as much notoriety,” she explained.

The grant program was started by California Casualty in 2010 in response to the recession to support athletics programs in underfunded areas, according to Rebecca Stumpf, strategic account manager.

California Casualty is an auto and home insurance service that has partnered with the Missouri National Education Association, under which Taylor is a member.

###

Cutline: (Left to right) Rebecca Stumpf, California Casualty strategic account manager; Krystal Dover, Poplar Bluff MNEA president; Hilary Taylor, Junior High instructor; Phil Murray, MNEA president; Wendy Nepean, Poplar Bluff MNEA treasurer; and Candace Warren, Junior High principal.