Stephens Middle School will receive a $100,000 grant from Target Corporation as part of a $5 million dollar give-a-way to K-12 schools in 31 states across the country.

Principal Matt Biondi says, “Stephens is blown away and excited about this opportunity!  We are very appreciative of the Target Corporation for selecting us and giving us the ability to support our students in some unique ways.”

The Ellen Degeneres Show and Target teamed up to award a total of $5 million to 50 different schools. Viewers of the Ellen DeGeneres Show were invited to submit the name of a school in need along with a compelling story explaining why they felt the designated school should receive a grant from Target.

When Mercede (Sadie) Ogan, Library Media specialist at Stephens Middle School, heard the announcement for the opportunity she said she knew right away that it was something that she needed to do. She felt it was worth a shot and decided to apply for the grant. She thought that the grant money would be a great way to put a boost back into the school and get everyone excited to be at school.

As part of the grant application Sadie included a letter as to why the Stephens Middle School kids deserved the grant.

Sadie wrote, “Every day when the kids show up to school, it reminds me to work hard and do whatever I can for them. If our students realize how important it is for them to come to school every day, then it is my job to make sure that I am putting in as much effort as they are to ensure that they are getting the best learning environment and the best opportunities possible. This grant program was one step towards doing that. Our students work so hard and their perseverance is astounding. I simply wanted to return to them what they do for me every day. They give me hope and I only hope that this grant will show them that people do care about them and that if they work hard, they can achieve anything.”