Online voting begins Nov. 1 for SELCO’s Regional Classroom Makeover program, which is in its second year and will once again award three educators as much as $15,000 each to fund substantial classroom improvements
(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) — SELCO Community Credit Union is once again inviting Oregonians to vote for their favorite classroom makeover project among nine finalists. The online public vote will decide three winning educators for a Regional Classroom Makeover—one each from Central and Eastern Oregon, Northwestern Oregon, and Southwestern Oregon. The three winners will receive as much as $15,000 apiece to transform their learning spaces.
The public voting process is open from Saturday, Nov. 1 through Friday, Nov. 7 at www.selco.org/vote. Voters are limited to one vote among the finalists in their local region. For this program, SELCO defines “Classroom” as any school learning space, including traditional classrooms, libraries, gymnasiums, and outdoor spaces.
The Regional Classroom Makeovers are part of SELCO Steps Up, the credit union’s community outreach initiative, which aims to foster meaningful, lasting change through nonprofit sponsorships, volunteerism, and funding for students and educators.
Now in its second year, the makeover program is one way SELCO Steps Up tries to meet a critical need for educators, who often dip into their pockets each school year to make even modest classroom improvements. The response from educators underscored this need, with applications arriving from across the state for a wide array of project ideas.
“It’s been truly inspiring to see the depth of quality and creativity of this year’s finalists,” said Olivia Sorensen, Community Development Supervisor for SELCO Community Credit Union. “We learned in the program’s inaugural year just how powerful it can be when educators are given the resources to create accessible, inclusive, and inspiring learning spaces. And this year’s finalists once again show us the remarkable creativity and dedication educators have for their students.”
The nine finalists chosen by the SELCO Steps Up selection committee include:
From Central/Eastern Oregon:
- Pine Eagle School District, Halfway: Transform an ordinary, unused space into an inspiring, inclusive oasis where K-12 students of all abilities can read, collaborate, and learn together in the fresh air with picnic tables, benches, and hammocks. Submitted by Christina Jensen.
- Obsidian Middle School, Redmond: Create a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway for 7th and 8th grade students to gain hands-on skills in areas like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, mechanics, and information technology. Submitted by Dan Grubb.
- Saint Francis Catholic School, Bend: Build a productive space that inspires discovery, collaboration, and innovation to support inquiry-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning for K-12 students. Submitted by Kacie Ryan.
From Northwestern Oregon:
- North Columbia Academy, Rainer: Renovate a classroom to create a safe and comfortable learning environment with alternative seating options, science equipment, building repairs, and tables for group work. Submitted by Robin DuMouchel.
- Tualatin High School, Tualatin: Turn a bare computer lab into a vibrant digital media arts studio, where a diverse range of students in grades 9-12 can design, create, and showcase digital projects that connect creativity, community, and future careers. Submitted by Anneke Schoneveld.
- Centennial Elementary School, Scio: Transform an elementary gym into an inclusive adventure space with a safe, indoor climbing wall that builds strength, confidence, and teamwork for all K-5 students. Submitted by Caitlin Holzhouser.
From Southwestern Oregon:
- Oaklea Middle School, Junction City: Refurbish an outdated home economics room into a modern culinary arts lab with functional stovetops and ovens for hands-on learning for students in grades 6-8. Submitted by Robert Zarfas.
- Eugene Waldorf School, Eugene: Renew a well-loved theater with new curtains, valances, stage repairs, and paint — benefitting elementary- and middle-school performers, and community audiences. Submitted by Cricket Clarke.
- Butte Falls Charter School, Butte Falls: Update an existing room into a warm and inviting year-round space for K-12 students to use their creative energy to make things that will make the world a better place. Submitted by Ben DeCarlow.
In the inaugural year of the Classroom Makeover program, Caldera High School in Bend received $15,000 to finish the build-out and expansion of its Makerspace Lab, Prairie Mountain School in Eugene was awarded $15,000 to create an ability-inclusive playground, and Jefferson Elementary School in Jefferson received $11,700 to transform a music classroom.
“As a credit union founded by teachers, supporting educators isn’t just something we do — it’s part of who we are,” Sorensen said. “Seeing how these projects can transform classrooms and energize both teachers and students makes us so excited to keep building on this momentum.”
For more information about SELCO Steps Up Classroom Makeovers, visit www.selco.org/steps-up/student-and-educator-support/. Vote at www.selco.org/vote.
About SELCO Community Credit Union
Founded nearly 90 years ago by a group of fiscally minded teachers, Springfield-based SELCO Community Credit Union today serves more than 150,000 members as one of the largest and longest-standing Oregon-based credit unions. A not-for-profit, federally insured, member-driven financial cooperative with more than $2.8 billion in assets, SELCO provides its member-owners with exceptional rates and low fees on a full range of financial products and services, including banking, mortgages, personal and business loans, investments, and insurance. Membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of the 27 Oregon or eight Washington counties SELCO serves. For more information or to become a member today, stop by one of SELCO’s 15 branches, visit selco.org, or call 800-445-4483.
Contacts
Jacob Berns, SELCO, 541-338-3841, jberns@selco.org
Zack Hall, DVA Advertising & PR, 775-338-0745, zack@dvaadv.com