Page 18 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2025

COAST NOTE
2025
LEO W. SEAL INNOVATIVE GRANT RECIPIENTS
story by Lori Beth Susman photo courtesy of the
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Ten area teachers now have extra funds to activate their award-winning teaching initiatives at their school after being named a 2025 Leo W. Seal Innovative Grant recipient. The teachers received their grants at an awards luncheon as they were celebrated by their school administration, fellow teachers and family members.
Funded by Hancock Whitney and administered by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF), the Seal grants, now in its 29th year, recognize up to 10 outstanding teachers with individual one-time grants of up to $2,000 to activate creative teaching proposals enhancing students’ learning experiences and supporting Mississippi educational requirements.
Teachers earning this one-time grant for 2025 were Wendy Diane Chambers, Woolmarket Elementary School; Lamar
D. Estis, Ocean Springs Upper Elementary School; Johnette Garcia, West Wortham Elementary School in Saucier; Christopher Gleason, Purvis High School; Richard A. Humphreys, St. Martin High School; Cecil Murphy, Ocean Springs High School; Scott Thomas Nelson, East Central Middle School in Moss Point; Bethany Seal, West Harrison High School in Gulfport; Lucretia Simpson, Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia in Ocean Springs; and Erica D. Wilson, Singing River Academy in Gautier.
“Creating and funding the Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Grants program has enabled us to encourage and reward educational excellence and commitment to creative learning among outstanding teachers preparing students to pursue and realize their own dreams,” said Hancock Whitney President and CEO John M. Hairston.
18 | March 2025
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story courtesy of the
Salvation Army Mississippi Gulf Coast
The Salvation Army Mississippi Gulf Coast Kroc Center is a beacon of hope. Located in East Biloxi, the Kroc Center is a place where people of all ages come together to grow, create, and thrive. Whether it’s learning to swim, discovering a passion for music, or staying active through fitness and athletic programs, there’s something for everyone.
Each program is designed to inspire confidence and provide valuable skills that empower individuals to reach their personal goals, all in a welcoming and uplifting environment.
This is all possible with the generosity of our incredible community through our annual fundraiser, Taste of South Mississippi. Help us continue offering life-changing opportunities by supporting youth programs and scholarships – ensuring that no one is left behind.
Join us on March 27, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. for an unforgettable evening filled with delicious local cuisine,
exciting auctions, and live entertainment, all in support of a brighter future for our community.
Purchase tickets or donate today, and together, let’s empower our community at the Kroc Center. Tickets are $40 per person.
228.207.1218 www.southernusa.salvationarmy.org/KrocMSCoast