2025 Wildcat Den Grant Recipients

Sensory Success

Sean Little, Robbi McCarter, Jodi Carter
Brown Elementary
$3,864.00

Research shows that for the brain to grow and thrive, it needs the right conditions—especially for students who struggle with focus, regulation, or sensory processing. Brown Elementary is creating a dedicated sensory space equipped with tools and supports to help all students, particularly those in the Behavior-RTI classroom, feel engaged, regulated, and ready to learn. This grant is funded with help from R2 Restaurants.

With Great Gardens Come Great Responsibility - Making Our Greenhouse Functional and Educational

Darren Avey, Katie Becerra, Jodi Carter
Brown Elementary
$3,658.41

Brown Elementary is transforming the existing greenhouse into a vibrant, farm-to-table oasis where students can learn hands-on gardening, compost cafeteria waste, and nurture their own vegetables. This exciting initiative will merge technology, sustainability, and education to create a self-sustaining system that immerses kids in the therapeutic benefits of horticulture and inspires a greener future. This grant is funded with help from R2 Restaurants.

Yaya for Yoto at Cain!

Natalie Meadville, Kayla Jackson, Tina Jones, Jayanna Williams, Renee Froelich, Mandi Stephens, Kailey Cline, Kelly Howard, Sarah Mills
Cain Elementary
$5,806.84

Cain Elementary is bringing Yoto devices into the classroom to spark creativity and engagement among students. These intuitive audio tools will empower children to explore stories, develop foundational skills, and enjoy hands-on activities, making every school day a thrilling journey of discovery. This grant is funded with help from R2 Restaurants and Classic Toyota of Tyler.

A-MAZE-IN-RACE @ Camp Tyler

Tammy Hayes, Megan Spradlin, Alicia Klinger
Whitehouse Junior High
$11,990.00

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at Camp Tyler, where our eighth graders will form teams to face off in exciting challenges and strengthen their teamwork skills. From spirited team chants to the thrilling “Human Knot” game, they will discover the power of collaboration and dream of returning for even more leadership-building fun! This grant is funded with help from R2 Restaurants.

Whitehouse Junior High Technical Theatre

Daniel Boone
Whitehouse Junior High
$9,755.00

Theater is more than just what happens on stage—it’s the magic created behind the scenes. This grant will establish a Junior High Technical Theater program, giving students hands-on experience in set design, construction, props, and power tools while developing real-world technical and industry skills. This grant is funded with help from Goosehead Insurance - Phaup Agency.

Molding Minds in TAPS

Makayla Hagy, Stacy Labeff, Danielle Fox, Amanda Miller
District-Wide
$2,017.58

For students with articulation and language difficulties, communication can be a daily challenge. Tap and Play in Speech (TAPS) is designed to support these students by providing hands-on, play-based learning tools that encourage pretend play, vocabulary expansion, and increased peer interaction. By creating engaging opportunities for communication, this grant will help students build essential language skills in a fun and meaningful way. This grant is fully funded by Mr. Ricky Fulps.

Seated for Success: Adaptive Comfort for All

Mallory Moore, Hillary Tremont, Teri Agnew, Clarissa Abella, Ashley Dickens
District-Wide
$5,133.92

Whitehouse Special Programs department will acquire two innovative PEOD postural support devices that will revolutionize comfort and engagement for wheelchair-bound students. By combining a bean bag base with structured support, these specialized chairs will keep students safely upright for feeding and academic tasks, ultimately boosting their participation in classroom and social activities. They believe this upgrade will elevate the daily school experience for these students, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic learning environment. This grant is funded with help from The Genesis Group.

On Your Mark - STEAM Ahead

Wendie Turner, Brianna Hulshouser, Laurie Rozell
District-Wide
$7,082.41

What better way to kick off the school year than with a one-mile fun run that brings together families, community members, and the excitement of STEAM? This event will promote health, wellness, and hands-on learning. Along the route, participants will encounter interactive STEAM stations that challenge both the body and mind—combining physical activity with hands-on innovation. This grant is funded with help from The Genesis Group.