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National Lieutenant Governor’s Association awards STEM scholarship to Foothills Community School

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In this classroom at Foothills Community School, students say the welcoming teachers, a focus on STEM, and the hands-on approach to learning allow them to "have fun and learn at the same time." Mebane Rash/EducationNC

Foothills Community School in Marion, North Carolina is a recipient of the 2025 National Lieutenant Governor’s Association (NLGA) Lt. Governors STEM Scholarship Program. According to a press release, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt announced the McDowell County school will be awarded $1,000 as a part of the program to expand STEM programming and curriculum.

Earlier this year, Hunt encouraged educators to apply for the scholarship, which is awarded to 12 schools nationwide in amounts of $500 or $1,000 for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics projects, curriculum, or equipment.

“Our students deserve every opportunity to learn new skills, particularly in STEM-related fields to prepare for the jobs of the future,” Lt. Gov. Hunt said in an earlier press release.

The scholarship program, administered by NLGA and sponsored by ACT, had 125 scholarship applications from 32 states and territories for 2025.

Foothills Community School is a “NC Model STEM School of Distinction” serving middle schoolers. According to the press release, it has a mobile STEM lab that shares student-led STEM activities with younger learners at elementary schools in McDowell County Schools and community events. The school will add VEX robots to the mobile lab and expand coding and engineering opportunities for middle school students with the scholarship funds.

“From elementary schools inspiring a love of STEM to our advanced research institutions and companies, North Carolina is home to exceptional STEM programs,” said Hunt. “I am thrilled Foothills Community School was awarded this scholarship and I know they will continue to inspire the next generation to learn and innovate.”

“As the seconds-in-command in state and territorial government, lieutenant governors are uniquely poised to lead on STEM education,” said NLGA Executive Director Kellie Rittershausen. “By supporting STEM-related activities in schools across the country, we can encourage a long-term interest and passion in STEM education in America’s youth.”

“ACT is proud to have been the sponsor of the NLGA STEM scholarship program since its inception and to see its growth and impact over the past 4 years,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said. “STEM education is crucial for our country’s future workforce which will be increasingly reliant on the critical thinking and problem-solving skills it fosters, regardless of a student’s college or career pathway.”