LEWIS CENTER — The Olentangy Education Foundation presented a $95,000 check to the school board on Wednesday evening, making it the organization’s largest donation to date.
“We had reported at our last board meeting on June 1 that the contribution amount was going to be $85,000, and it turns out that it is $10,000 more,” Superintendent Todd Meyer said.
The donation funds school programs that enhance the educational experience for students that the district could not fund with tax dollars.
The foundation’s Executive Director Mary Lorenz said in the past, the foundation funded robotics, literacy, STEM, workforce development and performing arts programs.
One of her favorite examples from past years was a week-long visit from artist Mark Wood, a founding member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, to help Orange High School Orchestra students develop a performance.
“These are programs that are supplemental to curriculum, that just make education more fun, that give us that edge above other school districts,” Lorenz said.
Teachers and staff submit applications for the grant money, and the Olentangy Education Foundation (OEF) selects several to fund.
This year, OEF’s donation will fund 27 programs, but it received close to 40 applications.
One of the programs awarded the money this year is Voices of Olentangy High School, a podcasting initiative.
The grant will provide students access to tools to create their own podcast, and last year, OEF provided a $5,000 grant to one of the elementary schools to install a podcasting pod.
“We received overwhelming positive feedback from students and teachers. Students say they feel like they have a voice with the podcasts,” Lorenz said.
OEF is also funding a $7,500 grant for the Orange High School Marching Band to purchase an outdoor sound system.
It will also fund, for the second year, “Cultivating Brilliance: Scaling the Designed Ingenuity Framework for Lasting Student Agency” at Orange High School — a program that teaches students how to advocate for their learning in and beyond the classroom.
Last year, two Sparking Brilliance workshops trained 12 Olentangy high school and middle school from schools across the district.
AP Language and Composition teacher Andrea Vescelius took seven students to the Learning InspirED Student Power Summit in Los Angeles in March to present their work.
“The goal is to recreate it at all the high schools,” Lorenz said.
OEF will raise additional money and highlight the program at the foundation’s annual fundraiser, Zoolentangy, on Aug. 14.
School Board recognizes 2026 community partners
Each year, the board recognizes community members who donated time and energy to the district, nominated by the schools, administrative offices or Olentangy Schools Wellness.
The board established the awards in 1986 “to honor community residents who had a major impact on our children’s education, through their volunteer efforts,” Board Vice President Libby Wallick said.
“There are so many people that are willing to step up when they don’t have to, when they’ve got other things going on, when everybody’s leading busy lives, to really be selfless. So I want to thank you,” Board President Brandon Lester said.
Jennifer Borean, nominated by Liberty Tree Elementary School, received the award for her work in organizing events and activities at Tyler Run Elementary and other schools.
Chris Brown, nominated by Liberty Tree Elementary School, is a grandparent of two students at Liberty Tree, so she became a volunteer three years ago as a school-day tutor.
Now, Brown oversees tutoring for all kindergarten students during the day and volunteers in the library, assisting the librarian with organizational tasks.
“When Christine walks the halls of Liberty Tree Elementary, students light up with excitement at the sight of her,” Wallick said.
Erin Gibson accepted her award as a representative of the Del-Co Water Company, which created the Del-Co Wolf Water Center where staff participate in professional training and leadership retreats.
Erin Hughes, nominated by Tyler Run Elementary School, supports the Tyler Run Takeoff program, which helps kindergarten students build reading and math skills.
Kris Mazzola and Stephanie Murray were nominated by the Olentangy Administration Office for their work on the policy committee.
“For the past four years, Kris has faced faithfully served as a member of the board’s policy committee, generously dedicating her time and energy to ensuring that policy revisions and adoptions are thoughtful, fair and in the best interests of our school community,” Wallick said.
Elizabeth Mosher, nominated by Tyler Run Elementary School, has served as treasurer for the Tyler Run Elementary PTO.
Emily Warnick, nominated by Tyler Run Elementary School, received her award for her work in communicating school events and efforts to families.
Walt Williamson was nominated by Shale Meadows Elementary School for his work as PTO treasurer and serving on the talent show and fall family trail committee.
“In addition, his partnerships with Intel helped provide books to all 17 elementary school libraries across the district, an incredible contribution that will benefit students for years to come,” Wallick said.
