During the KCF Hall of Fame Ceremony on Thursday night, foundation Director Melissa Bottorf touched on the variety of ways the foundation assists teachers and students alike in furthering their education.

Bottorf noted the foundation has 23 board members “working tirelessly” to provide opportunities for students through grants, scholarships, fundraising and the Hall of Fame — which serves as proof that students can accomplish incredible things.

She said scholarship season is well underway with graduation set for early June.

“We’re up to our necks in it. But we’re excited to help students who are taking their first steps into the rest of their lives, however that may look,” Bottorf said.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Robb Elementary School Music Teacher Teresa Poole speaks during the Keystone Central Foundation Hall of Fame Ceremony about the impact the foundation had on her classroom through a Teacher Mini-Grant offered by KCF.

Outside of scholarships, Bottorf said the foundation recently began a Teacher Mini-Grant program to assist in the classroom.

This grant has provided funding for different projects that teachers may otherwise have needed to put on hold.

She invited Robb Elementary School Music Teacher Teresa Poole to speak about her experience with the program — which helped purchase two Djembe drums, three Tubano drum sets and two Tubano drums. The foundation previously purchased ukuleles for the school, too, Bottorf said.

“No matter where you go or what you do in life, there’s music. Music is a rhythm, pulse, harmony and is an emotional expression that brings us all together,” Poole said.

Poole said the mini grant was able to provide this for her students through the drums and drum circles she has in class.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Dr. James Eldreth, music education instructor at Central Mountain High School, talks about the Teacher Mini-Grant’s impact on both students and staff.

“Students join together to play the drums which creates a community of learners and decision makers. When students participate in drum circles they are collaborating and understanding the success and strength of cooperation in class,” she continued. “Drum circles incorporate critical thinking, life skills, humor, empathy and self expression.”

Poole thanked members of the foundation and Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon for joining drum circles in February.

“Students loved having you there and creating a rhythm with us,” she said.

Poole shared what students have been saying about the drums:

“We love the sound the drums make,” one student said.

“The drums are different sizes and look and sound beautiful,” another said.

“The drums make me happy, help me stay calm and we love to find rhythms we can play,” a third student said.

Poole thanked the five inductees into the Hall of Fame for their inspiration to students like hers.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to teach students who aspire to be leaders, decision makers and explore the many opportunities available to them,” she said. “Thank you for your support, contributions and inspirations.”

A second testimonial came from Dr. James Eldreth, music education instructor at Central Mountain High School, who has used funding through the foundation to start a staff and student band, and a student-only band to perform modern music.

Eldreth, who said he was new to the district, said his focus is often on popular music which can grab the attention of students.

Through the foundation, he was able to purchase instruments like electric guitars, a bass, drums and others, for students and staff to play — even offering free lessons to teachers who wanted to take part.

Soon enough, the Low Toners were created and have since performed four separate times.

To truly showcase the impact the grant had on students at CMHS, Eldreth introduced seniors Tori Guthrie and Bryce Warren along with sophomore Luke Garmen, who performed two popular songs.

Following the songs, which saw Guthrie on bass and vocals, Warren on drums and Garmen playing guitar, the students received a plethora of applause.