Broadwater Educational Foundation Awards Classroom Grants, Celebrates Successful Trivia Night Fundraiser
Author: Jennifer Beatty, Broadwater Education Foundation
Jennifer Beatty
Broadwater Education Foundation
The Broadwater Educational Foundation (BEF) continues to strengthen educational opportunities for students across the Townsend School District, awarding classroom grants while celebrating another successful year of community-supported fundraising.
Founded over nine years ago, BEF’s mission is to promote academic excellence by enhancing classroom opportunities and experiences for K–12 public school students. Since its inception, The Foundation has awarded more than $16,000 in grants, supporting a wide range of classroom needs, from handheld weather meters and soil testing equipment to novels, DNA replication kits, video production equipment, costumes, ukuleles, art supplies, phonics curriculum, magazine subscriptions, and ladybug habitats.
During the most recent grant cycle last fall, BEF awarded grants of up to $250 to several local educators. Recipients included:
• Shae Bruursema — cultural cuisine groceries in Family and Consumer Science classes
• Emily Hatfield — classroom novels
• Lisa Larson — classroom novels
• Olga McNulty — piano melodicas
• Monique Prevel — fidget-based learning games
• Missy Racht — classroom novels
• Karee Reiman — middle school playground equipment and audio headsets
• Holly Smedley — emotional regulation support tools
• Jason Thomas — genetics lab materials
• Andrea Tullos — simulation and strategy-based learning games
• Karen Walton — music books, concert music, and a xylophone stand
In addition to grantmaking, BEF highlighted the success of its largest annual fundraiser, Trivia Night, held Thursday, March 19. The event drew strong community participation, with 13 teams and as many as 104 players competing across six rounds and a final challenge question, totaling 61 questions and a possible 160 points.
Trivia categories ranged from 1990s grunge music clips and partial logo identification to celebrity tattoos, March Madness, and romantic comedies. The final question, challenging teams to identify the three races and their state locations that make up the Triple Crown, was correctly answered by only three teams.
Top finishers included:
• First Place: The Irish Mafia
• Second Place: Savvy Cavvy
• Third Place: Tequila Mockingbirds
The event was supported by dedicated volunteers, including members of the Townsend PTA, and was described as both highly competitive and full of energy and laughter. Proceeds from Trivia Night directly support BEF’s classroom grant program.
BEF extends sincere appreciation to its donors and community members whose generosity makes these grants possible. The foundation also recognizes the family of Mike Ferrat for memorial funds supporting music and arts education, and the friends and family of Tom Arensmeyer for memorial funds supporting mathematics-focused grants.
Community members interested in supporting the foundation or learning more about its work are encouraged to contact BEF President Jackie Smith at 406-459-3064 or via email at
BroadwaterEdFoundation@gmail.com.
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Image 1 Caption: First Place Winners: Irish Mafia
(l to r) Jeff Kirksey, Sarah Kirksey, Cory O'Brian, Tony O'Brian, Isabell O'Brian, Aiden O'Brian, Kim O'Brian
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Image 2 Caption: 2nd Place Team: Savvy Cavvy
(l to r) Lynn Reynolds, Jill Flynn, Jeana Ruchert, Rusty Ruchert, Ross Chewning, Siobhan Flynn, (not pictured: Shannon Flynn)
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Image 3 Caption: 3rd Place Team: Tequila Mockingbirds
(l to r) Brandon Harris, Clairessa Harris, Missy Racht, Mark Wood, Brook Hatfield, Wendy Graveley, TJ Graveley and kneeling Carol Hatfield
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