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STARBASE La., educator receives grant

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sherri Bohannon
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Their typical impact is "one class at a time." But in this case, more than 1,300 STARBASE students will benefit from a $1,000 gift local from ABC affiliate KTBS, Landers Dodge, Barksdale Federal Credit Union and Life Wise Cable Media on May 25. 

Laurie Ilgenfritz, deputy director of STARBASE Louisiana, recently received the grant after applying for it as part of a graduate class she is taking through Northwestern State University. Graduate students were not required to actually submit the grant, but in Mrs. Ilgenfritz's case, she did....for the benefit of STARBASE, an Air Force Reserve Command-sponsored program to enhance math and science for local at-risk fifth graders.

The KTBS "One Class at a Time" grant is given to educators throughout the Ark-La-Tex to help fund various classroom projects. These teachers apply for the grant on line, and a committee of judges selects deserving teachers and their projects based on set criteria.

The funds received will be used by STARBASE La., to upgrade their global positioning system units and buy some manipulative materials for the lesson background activity, according to Kathy Brandon, STARBASE La., director.

Mrs. Brandon said even though the STARBASE La., program does not classify as a "traditional school setting," KTBS decided "they would fund the project based on its merit, regardless of the non-traditional nature of the program."

The funding and presentation of the grant came as a total surprise to Mrs. Ilgrenfritz.

"Everyone knew but me," Mrs. Ilgenfritz said. "Kathy and the other STARBASE staff members were doing some strange things on Friday morning, and I was wondering what in the world was going on. I soon found out!"

"I went in the classroom as the students were starting their lunch, and they began asking me off the wall questions," she said. "Bless their hearts...I got asked how old I was, if I was married, and if I had kids. They didn't even know why they were having to ask all these lame questions!"

"Then from the doorway I heard, 'Laurie Ilgenfritz?"

Mrs. Ilgenfritz looked up to see the television crew and her husband, all giving her a hearty "Congratulations," and announcing her as the winner of the grant.

"She definitely deserved the award and recognition," Mrs. Brandon said. "Mrs. Ilgenfritz continues to strive to improve our program in many ways, and this is just another example of her efforts to continue raising the bar. She is a great example to other teachers and to the students we serve to keep taking positive steps and strive for success."