Courtney Matthews | Valwood School Valwood Upper School Dean Justin Henderson, Joni Fox of Colquitt EMC, grant recipient Phyllis Childree and Sonya Aldridge of Colquitt EMC hold the grant check given to Childree by Colquitt EMC as part of the Bright Ideas program. 

HAHIRA — Valwood School drama teacher Phyllis Childree was the recipient of a $1,000 Bright Ideas education grant from Colquitt EMC for “Making a Christmas Wish Come True,” according to a press release. 

Childree was recently surprised in her classroom and presented with a big check, courtesy of the Bright Ideas Prize Team, consisting of representatives from Colquitt EMC, and fellow Valwood faculty and staff, according to an organizational press release. 

The release stated that “Making a Christmas Wish Come True” is what Childree titled the grant and receiving it will help do just that for 60-70 eighth graders from the Valwood community. 

Childree recognized that her students had potential to do a musical but had never been given the opportunity, and Rhenda Parker, a teacher at Pine Grove Middle School, had a strong base of students who were eager to perform a musical; both teachers wanted to provide for their students but lacked the resources to make the musical happen since a musical production is a large undertaking requiring dedication, time, money, according to the press release.  

Childree submitted their innovative idea for the joint production of the Broadway musical “Elf Jr.” to Colquitt EMC’s Bright Ideas Program, according to Valwood. 

Students from both schools may never have had the opportunity to participate in a musical, therefore not being able to tap into their true potential, according to the release. 

The young performers practice at their respective schools during the week and all-together on Saturdays and Sundays. Childree’s hope is the collaboration between an independent school and a public school can enrich students and impact their futures in a positive way, according to Valwood. 

Childree has been teaching drama, speech and more for more than 30 years and at Valwood for the last three years. According to Valwood, this is the first time a Valwood teacher has been awarded the grant.

“The arts is a fantastic way for children to get involved at school and learn more about themselves in the process,” Childree said. 

“Elf Jr.” will be performed 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Mathis City Auditorium, 2300 N. Ashley St.

The purpose of the Bright Ideas education grant is to provide funding for teachers to put their creative plans in action, the release stated. Funding for the grants is made possible through Georgia legislation that allows unclaimed capital credits to be used for education in the communities served by EMC’s.

Colquitt EMC is a member-owned cooperative that provides electricity to more than 43,900 members with 66,000 meters in Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Lowndes, Tift and Worth counties.