Generous grants enhance STEM learning on DISD campuses

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning has been enhanced and enriched on six Denison ISD campuses, thanks to the generosity of Douglass Distributing and ExxonMobil's Education Alliance Program.

In surprise emails from Douglass Distributing's Ben Ary, the principals at Hyde Park, Lamar and Mayes elementary schools along with B. McDaniel Intermediate School, Scott Middle School and Denison High School learned they would soon be presented $500 grants on behalf of either a Lone Star Food Store, or an independently owned location where Douglass distributes Exxon and Mobil fuels throughout the Denison area.

"The ExxonMobil Education Alliance Program provide grants to support Math and Science programs at local schools," said Ary in one of his emails to the principals. "As an ExxonMobil fuel distributor, Douglass Distributing donates a check on behalf of one of our Exxon or Mobil locations to each chosen school...and I think over the past eight years, we've covered just about every campus, some twice. It's a pleasure and an honor to be able to provide these grants which will assist our teachers in helping educate future scientists, mathematicians and engineers to serve our communities in these vital workforce fields."

During the months of January and February, Milton Brown, Customer Service Representative with Douglass Distributing, and store representatives arrived on the various campuses like clockwork, delivering the $500 grants to the joy and delight of students, teachers and principals alike.

"Wow, we were thrilled and honored to be selected as a grant recipient," said Hyde Park Principal Kerry Kaai. "Our teachers and students will put this money to great use now...and in years to come. We're always looking for ways to motivate and excite our students to work hard and excel in the STEM fields, and this kind of grant goes a long way to help us accomplish that."

Ary said the grant partnership with Denison schools has been ongoing for almost a decade.

“The Education Alliance program was established in 2000 to increase interest and enrich learning in the fields of math and science,” said Ary. “Since 2011, Douglass Distributing has proudly contributed over $25,000 to Denison area schools, impacting the lives of thousands of students. We’re very honored to be a part of this important program.”

Denison ISD Superintendent Dr. Henry Scott praised the Denison community for always putting schools and children first, and for taking the time to be involved.

"The incredibly generous community-school partnerships in Denison are key contributors to the award-winning success we see on all our campuses," said Scott. "We're very grateful to Douglass Distributing as well as our many other partners for the educational enrichment and encouragement they provide for our students. These programs very often serve as catalysts for excellence...propelling our students into exciting and successful careers and professions. To say it's a vital part of the overall education of our students is an understatement. It's very often the difference between average and exceptional for our students as they move through the various levels and fields of learning."