New London Education Foundation Promotes Goals, Accomplishments

A fundraising benchmark of $10,000 for next year, as well as increased awareness of the foundation itself, were the goals put forth at a reception held by the New London Education Foundation on Thursday evening.

The event was held at the to highlight the foundation’s “positive impact on the students and staff of the .” Valerie Tamano, the foundation’s president, said the New London Education Foundation was created in 2001 to support students’ achievement efforts. It awarded $5,876 in scholarships to the last graduating class and has also invested “mini-grants” to fund initiatives such as a Junior ROTC trip to Newport, R.I. and the purchase of iPods to assist in the education of autistic students.

“The New London Education Foundation has really been behind the scenes,” said Tamano.

Jody Barthel, a Schoolwide Enrichment Model Initiative teacher in the district’s elementary schools, said one grant went toward purchasing a plot of land in Costa Rica to offset some of the district’s carbon emissions. Grants also contributed to an astronomy program and the composting and planting of a garden at the .

“We try to do programs that are going to benefit the whole school,” said Barthel.

Ivamary Bradham recalled how she came to set up her own scholarship through the foundation. When she attended , she met music teacher Howard J. Brundage and joined the orchestra, stage band, and marching band. She said college was beyond the means of her family, but Brundage helped her get into a school. She has since become a music teacher and professional bass player and started her own company, Ivamary Music LLC.

“Now it is my turn, through the name of Howard Brundage, to pass his legacy on through this scholarship,” she said.

Brundage died on May 20 of this year. Before he passed away, Ivamary set up the Howard J. Brundage Music Award. It is an annual $500 scholarship awarded through Ivamary Music to a high school senior who wants to become a music teacher.

The evening also included performances by the New London High School Band and Moe Steele, a rapper who has lived in New London his entire life and now attends Three Rivers Community College. Steele said programs such as those in arts and music can be especially important to inspire students.

“It encouraged me to do things that more youth in New London should be encouraged to do,” he said.

Steele also offered a piece of advice for New London students.

“Follow your dreams and do what makes you happy,” he said. “Don’t ever let nobody get you down.”