The Palmetto Electric Trust and Palmetto Electric Cooperative offers Bright Ideas, a grant program that provides funding for innovative classroom-based education projects. Since Palmetto Electric launched the program in 2004, area teachers in Hampton, Jasper and southern Beaufort counties have received over $550,000 in grants.
The Bright Ideas Prize Team celebrated the 15th anniversary of Bright Ideas by surprising local teachers in their classrooms November 4-7, with big checks and gift bags. This year, 55 grants totaling $48,810 was awarded to teachers for their innovative classroom projects.
The grants are intended to fund projects outside normal school funding. Teachers in grades K–12 from schools in our three-county service area can apply. A school may submit more than one application, but a teacher is limited to one application per school year.
Palmetto Electric Trust is supported by funds from Operation Round Up®, a program in which the Cooperative’s members round their electric bill up to the nearest whole dollar. The program is a true example of how small change…changes lives. Additional funding is provided by Palmetto Electric’s Million Dollar Hole-In-One Shootout and WIRE (Women Involved in Rural Electrification).
If you have any questions about the grant program or application procedures please contact your local Palmetto Electric office or e-mail us at Bright Ideas.
Adam McCormick, Bluffton Middle School 
Amanda Kropiewnicki, Cross Schools 
Barbara Pittman, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School 
Bethany Battig Ramseur, Hilton Head Preparatory School 
Catherine Klimoff, Hilton Head Preparatory School 
Denise Bell, Hilton Head Island Elementary 
Heather Brougham-Cook, Cross Schools 
Heidi McAllister, Bluffton Middle School 
Jennifer Friend-Kerr, Hilton Head Island Elementary for the Creative Arts 
Jesse Mignogna, Bluffton High School 
Jill Exley, Michael C. Riley Elementary School 
John Dogger, Sea Pines Montessori Academy 
John Quindlen, Hilton Head Island High School 
John Slaughter, Hilton Head Island Elementary 
Julieann Swann, Hilton Head Island Elementary 
Kara Ferrebee, May River Montessori 
Louise Goodman, Hilton Head Preparatory School 
Commander Matthew Pheiffer, Hilton Head Island High School 
Michelle Bueso, Cross Schools 
Paula Greab, Hilton Head Island Elementary School 
Robert Stine, Hilton Head Island High School 
Sarah Warner, Hilton Head Island Middle School 
Sari Kandel, May River Montessori 
Amy Murdaugh, Varnville Elementary School 
Chinon Conder, Hampton Elementary School 
Dr. Quin Rawls, Estill Middle and High School 
Gangadhar Padigela, Wade Hampton High School 
Heather Skinner, Wade Hampton High School 
Ileana Voina, North District Middle School 
Jessica Deloach, Ben Hazel Primary School 
Kelyne Buxton, Varnville Elementary School 
Kimberly Mathis, Hampton Elementary School 
Melonee G. Mattie, Wade Hampton High School 
Susan Mikell, Patrick Henry Academy 
Althea Wigfall, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Anne Brown, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Barbara Dixon, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Christina Randall, Hardeville Ridgeland Middle School 
Gabriela Ion, Hardeeville Elementary School 
Gregg Dixon, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Ingrid Scott, Hardeeville Ridgeland Middle School 
Hedy Frazier, Hardeeville Elementary School 
Jordin Harvey, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Kenneth Fisher, Ridgeland Elementary School 
Kodwo Glenn Dowell, Royal LIve Oaks Academy 
Marvele Eason, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Michele Oros, Hardeeville Ridgeland Middle School 
Nohora Williams, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Rhonda Stones, Step of Faith Christian Academy 
Robert Parkes, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Robert Pope, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Roxane Adesso, Royal Live Oaks Academy 
Sherry Carroll, Thomas Heyward Academy 
Susan Heid, Hardeeville Ridgeland Middle School 
William Cameron, Royal Live Oaks Academy