More than a dozen Bossier Parish teachers were the guests of honor and recipients of a combined $12,600 in classroom grants at an end-of-year luncheon hosted by the Optimist Club of Bossier City.

Over the past 26 years, the Optimists have awarded over $600,000 in teacher grants to enhance the educational experience for Bossier Parish students. The Bossier Parish Teacher Academic Grant Program was started by Optimist Club member Al Yantis whose daughter taught at Bossier Schools and needed books for her classroom.

Proud grant recipients this year are: Penny Asseff and Randy Smith, Cope Middle; Martha Claire Lepore, Parkway High; Jo Desselle, Elm Grove Middle; Anna Welch, Parkway High; Emory Bray, Elm Grove Middle; Molly Patterson, Kingston Elementary; Jaimee Mercer, Stockwell Place Elementary; Nicole Falcon, Bossier High; Brittany Scott, Curtis Elementary; Mallory Williams, Kingston Elementary; Erica Ernest, Elm Grove Middle; Kristina Glass, Elm Grove Elementary; and Anna Lee, Plain Dealing High.

“The support the Optimist Club of Bossier City gives each year to the educators and students of Bossier Schools is unparalleled,” said Bossier Schools Superintendent Jason Rowland. “By infusing additional monies into our classrooms for resources and enabling teachers to think outside the box, it helps them further reach, engage and excite our young learners. The Optimists truly live up to their motto, ‘Friend of Youth.’”