Announcing the 2025 Classroom Makeover Recipients

And the winners are…

Eugene Waldorf School, Eugene

Great Hall Theater Renovation

The Eugene Waldorf School will use its $15,000 makeover to revitalize its beloved Great Hall Theater, the heart of its performing arts program for elementary and middle school students. Submitted by educator Cricket Clarke, the project will breathe new life into a gathering space that has long hosted plays and performances for its community. 

With the Classroom Makeover funds, the school will: 

• New curtains & valances: Bringing warmth, color, and professionalism to student performances. 
• Stage repairs & fresh paint: Essential updates to ensure safety and boost confidence for young performers. 
• A renewed arts hub: A welcoming stage where very student can shine. 

Obsidian Middle School, Redmond

Career and Technical Education Space

Awarded $15,000, Obsidian Middle School will transform part of an existing weight room into a hands-on CTE space for seventh- and eighth-grade students. The project was submitted by science teacher Dan Grubb and will kickstart a new CTE pathway designed to introduce students to practical trades and real-world problem-solving. 

The Classroom Makeover funds will invest in: 

• A hands-on learning center: Tools and equipment for carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, mechanics, and IT.
• New CTE pathway: A foundation for long-term electives that prepare students for local trade careers.
• Community impact: A program built around skill-building, service, and contributing to stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.

“Our program is designed to introduce students to practical trades while fostering a spirit of service and community engagement,” said Dan Grubb, Obsidian's science teacher. “Across Oregon and the nation, communities face a growing shortage of skilled tradespeople. Many students are not introduced to trades early enough to consider them viable career paths, leading to gaps in the workforce. Middle school is a critical stage for building awareness, sparking interest, and helping students see the value of technical careers alongside traditional academic pathways.”

Tualatin High School, Tualatin

Digital Media Arts Center

Tualatin High School is using their $15,000 to convert their underused computer lab into a vibrant digital media arts studio. Submitted by educator Anneke Schoneveld, the transformed space will empower students to design, create, and showcase multimedia projects that connect creativity with future careers.  

The Classroom Makeover funds will invest in: 

• A reimagined creative studio: A colorful, inspiring environment that sparks imagination and collaboration among students. 
• Industry-relevant tools: Technology upgrades that support digital design, filmmaking, and storytelling. 
• A place of belonging: A studio where student voices matter and creativity is celebrated. 

“This makeover is about more than one room. It’s about showing students that their voices matter, their creativity has value, and their school community believes in their future. It’s about turning a lab of machines into a place of belonging — where every student who walks through the door feels ready to create, ready to learn, and ready to thrive," said Anneke Schoneveld, Tualatin's visual arts teacher.