When the surPRIZE PATROL members gathered at 8 am April 1 to present grants to Friendswood ISD teachers and students, the amount they had to give was more than $99,000. When they boarded the bus at 8:15 am, it was $100,000.
            The group was part of the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation directors and friends. Many new attendees were part of a new program, Adopt a Grant and were there to present grants they had purchased for FISD schools.

            All six campuses’ principals, teachers, staff and students were surprised and delighted by the $100,000 that was being distributed through grants and initiatives. More than 111 FISD staff members were receiving grants.
            “It’s a first for us and we were delighted to do it,” Foundation President Guy Crouch said. “We too were surprised when we found out that with the new Adopt a Grant program, we had reached a tremendous amount of $100,000 and I cannot think of a better year to give it.”
            Superintendent Trish Hanks agrees.           
            “With target revenue set from 2006 and zero enrollment growth, budgets have been reduced drastically and teachers would not be able to do new and creative programs without the Foundation’s wonderful assistance,” Hanks said. “What an amazing surprise to have them pass out $100,000 to our campuses. We thank the directors and our community for their generosity”
            The Adopt a Grant program brought in close to $30,000 in grants that were chosen by area families to give in their name. Grant amounts were anywhere from $375 to $5,000! 
            “This was a new idea that worked for us,” Deputy Superintendent Sherry Green said. “We set it up for the first time at our gala and kept it going on our website through April 1.”
            Grants were purchased by Mike and Julie Jankowski, Hazel Johnson and Elaine Manning, Herb and Sherran Calles, Tony and Sheri Hopkins, Steve and Paige Ridout, Janique Carbone, Jeff and Michelle Klump, Thad and Tracy Collins, Shaun and Lee Revere, Dr. Randy and Selena Ellis, Jim and Claire Dudley, Lael and Nancy Lockhart, Tony and Zoe Buzbee, Alton and Nari Todd, Sam and Tammy Ditta, Michael and Stephanie  Hamilton, Ted and Shelby Davis, Griffon and Griffon Enterprises, Kim Martinez Mize, Century Club members Mike Wegner, Elaine Manning and Charles Kelly, and Pete and Sharmyn Dever.
            One grant, Looms for Lindsey, was purchased by gala attendees during the live auction.
            “This too was a first for us to do this and it was magical,” Crouch said. “When our community hears a need, they respond. I am proud to be part of the Education Foundation and this year’s surPRIZE PATROL made FISD history!”
            In the past, the group has given approximately $40,000 in grants each year.
            Directors who helped deliver grants included Crouch, Sally Branson, Zoe Buzbee, Pete Dever, Joseph Ditta, Selena Ellis, Elaine Manning, CiCi Newkirk, Allan Rasmussen, Denise Ruiz, Cheryl Sauls, Chris Sellers, Kathryn Thompson, Edwina Vidosh and Mike Wegner.
            The group was joined by the families who adopted grants as well as the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents Thad Roher, Dr. Myrlene Kennedy, and George Rodgers, Deputy Superintendent Sherry Green, and 14 members of the Mighty Mustang Band.
            The FISD Education Foundation will next present monetary awards to the Teachers of the Year at the end of the year luncheon in May.
            “It has been a great year,” Crouch said. “We have definitely raised the bar for our group and we hope to continue to make FISD history.”