Coweta-Fayette EMC Awards More Than $30,000 to Local Educators

PALMETTO, GA, November 18, 2025 – Area students now have the opportunity to take on hands-on projects such as incubating and hatching chicken eggs, producing student podcasts, exploring with virtual reality headsets and publishing competitive literary magazines as part of the 2025 Bright Ideas Grant Program, funded by Operation Round Up.

After receiving 53 applications, a panel of educators awarded $30,770 in Bright Ideas Grants to support 27 innovative classroom projects in Coweta County, Fayette County and Heard County Schools.

Employees from the cooperative personally surprised each winner, presenting them with their award, a grant check and appreciation for their creativity and dedication to shaping the future of local students.

“This is such an amazing program, and we are so appreciative,” said Lindsay Boyle, principal of Kedron Elementary School.

The Bright Ideas Grant Program is designed to help teachers bring creative, hands-on learning opportunities to their classrooms—projects that may not otherwise be funded through traditional school budgets. The program is open to Pre-K through 12th grade educators across all subject areas within Coweta Fayette EMC’s service area.

To date, the Bright Ideas Grant Program has awarded more than $606,000 to local educators, thanks to funding provided by the Operation Round Up Trust. This program is made possible through the generosity of cooperative members who voluntarily “round up” their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar. The spare change goes directly to the Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening our communities and helping our neighbors. Help support our local educators by signing up here: https://utility.org/operation-round-up-signup/

Applications for the 2026 Bright Ideas Grants will open in May 2026.

Congratulations to the following 2025 Bright Ideas Grant winners:

Coweta County:

Arbor Springs Elementary: Michele Eubanks
Arnall Middle: Jillian McDonnell
Arnco-Sargent Elementary: Katherine Brown and Rebecca Gore
Blake Bass Middle: Lisa Holland
Central Christian: Kimberly Jones
East Coweta High: Claire Hilton
East Coweta Middle: Blaire Thrasher
Evans Middle: Courtney Ledford and Stephanie Skinner
Glanton Elementary: Amanda Scogin and Virginia McCurdy
Lee Middle: Charles Davenport
Newnan High: Carrie DeBilzan
Welch Elementary: Briana Booker
Westside School: Ceil Harper, Stacy Davis, and Myronda Jenkins

Fayette County:

Huddleston Elementary: Jonathan Burns
Kedron Elementary: Kori Perez, Joanna Johnson, Daphne Tickner, Morgan Lovett, and Leah Hutsell
Spring Hill Elementary: Ashley Tarver

Heard County: