A youthful energy is buzzing at the Geneva High School track. The reason? High jump equipment — a symbol of a new chapter for the school's track and field program.
Skyward Aspirations
Freshman Hayden Love approaches, facing a horizontal crossbar set atop two standards. His challenge is to leap over the bar without the aid of any devices, relying only on his athletic prowess. A crash mat for landing waits on the other side. Love launches forward, running towards the bar and, with a final stride, he springs skyward in a move known as the Fosbury Flop, a technique in which athletes leap head-first with their back to the bar.
This elegant, daring maneuver now available to Geneva’s track and field team, comes thanks to a generous $4,000 grant from Wiregrass Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round Up Foundation that helped pay for the new equipment.
Track Revival
Geneva High School’s track program has a rich history, dating back to the ’70s, including back-to-back state track championships. Interest waned, however, and the team disbanded about 15 years ago, before reemerging and rebuilding in 2016.
Until recently, Love and his fellow athletes relied on sporadic practice sessions before track meets to familiarize themselves with the high jump apparatus. Now, the ability to train consistently on their own equipment has set the team on an upward trajectory, quite literally.
The ORU grant has acted as a launching pad, not just for these athletes, but for the revitalization of the entire track and field program. Coach Chance Williams, now in his third year leading the team, has noticed the dramatic shift in morale.
“I’ve already had so many more kids come to me and say, 'Coach, I think I can do the high jump for you if you want me to,’” Williams says. “This newfound access and visibility of the equipment has sparked a lot more interest among students who want to participate.”
Brightening Learning Spaces
Meanwhile, Ashford Elementary School had a revitalization of its own with another recent ORU grant worth $10,000 that breathed new life into its media center.
“Before, we had tables and chairs that have probably been here since I was a little girl," says Angie Lucas, the media center specialist. “They were heavy and difficult to move. A media center needs to be able to easily transform to fit the needs of whatever event or activity is going on.”
The grant allowed the school to purchase colorful tables and chairs that “fit together like puzzle pieces,” enabling the library to adapt to diverse learning activ- ities. Book fairs, multimedia presentations or nuanced classes — the new furniture brings a flexibility that elevates the media center’s potential.
Care for education With commitment to education a core cooperative principle, WEC consistently supports local schools and education pro- grams through Operation Round Up, an initiative funded by co-op members who volunteer to round up their monthly electric bills to the next highest dollar.
“Education is the cornerstone of ev- ery community, and as the charitable arm of Wiregrass Electric, we are dedicated to supporting our local schools,” says David Hall, ORU Board president. “We believe in investing in our youth and providing them with opportunities to learn, grow and suc- ceed in whatever they want to in life. We are immensely proud to witness the tangible benefit that these funds have on students.”
In an era of strained public school budgets and scarce resources, grants like these are vital. Lucas points out that public funding leaves little room for expenditures such as furniture up- grades. Yet, these seemingly minor details can have significant impacts on the learning environment.
“Anytime a space is updated and im- proved, it makes kids excited,” Lucas says. “Their eyes light up and they’re delighted to be there, and that is thanks to WEC and its members.”
High Jump Triumph
Williams also expressed gratitude for WEC’s support, seeing the grant as more than just financial help, but as a boost in momentum for the track program’s growth.
The full benefits of the grant unfold as you watch Aubrey Simon, a freshman once too intimidated to even try the high jump, soar over the bar. Shortly after training on the newly arrived equipment, she jumped an impressive 4 feet and 8 inches during her first competition, topping the leaderboard. Her triumph is evidence of the profound impact of proper resources.
“It’s just the people I get to meet around the region and state,” says Simon, as she reflects on the sport she’s grown to love. “I've made a lot of friends."
Lasting Impacts
But this investment doesn’t just nurture athletic ability, it also cultivates valuable life skills. Junior Devin Peak appreciates that track and field is about individual achievement. He enjoys being able to rely on his own physical abilities, a sentiment echoed by Love, who relishes the independence of the sport.
As Geneva High School’s track team leaps higher and Ashford Elementary's students buzz with renewed zeal, it’s clear that these ORU grants have the power to shape the future of the next generation.
“Education isn’t just about learning to score well on tests. It’s about shaping young minds, equipping them with essential life skills, and molding them into the leaders of tomorrow," says Brad Kimbro, WEC COO. "At Wiregrass Electric, we firmly believe in the power of education to change the trajectory of students’ lives. That's why we are proud of our members for supporting this program. Every dollar has a positive influence on the community welove.”
