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Mt. Pleasant and Spring Hill Elementary Schools Win $10K TVA Energy Grants

Issue #438

May 16, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☁️ Columbia’s Weather - Cloudy, thunderstorms likely at night, high of 84 & low of 66

📰 Mt. Pleasant and Spring Hill Elementary Schools Win $10K TVA Energy Grants

📰 Want to Attend College Tuition-Free? Check Out Columbia State’s Reconnect Program

📌 May 17: A Worthy Cause Field Day at Riverwalk Park

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

👉 Do You Love What’s Up Columbia??? VOTE FOR US HERE! (Must vote for at least 5 categories to be valid)

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Mt. Pleasant and Spring Hill Elementary Schools Win $10K TVA Energy Grants

Maury County Public Schools is excited to announce Mt. Pleasant Elementary and Spring Hill Elementary Schools have each won a $10,000 grant through the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) EnergyRight School Uplift program.  

School Uplift is a year-long energy management training program that helps schools make smart energy choices which improves the classroom learning environment while saving money through decreased energy use. TVA’s School Uplift program partnered with local power companies across seven states to help 98 public schools tackle energy waste.  

“The generous support from the Tennessee Valley Authority represents a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance our facilities while promoting energy stewardship,” said Spring Hill Elementary School Principal, Renata Powell, Ed. D. “We are deeply grateful for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s and Columbia Power and Water System’s investment in our school’s future and their continued commitment to empowering schools across the region.”  

Funding was awarded based on the score each school achieved by cutting energy waste, engaging their school community, and a needs-based assessment that determined which facilities could achieve the greatest energy savings. 

“We are very pleased and excited with the effort Spring Hill Elementary put into this program,” said Columbia Power & Water Systems Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Hardin. “This will enable administrators to improve facilities and make the school more efficient, healthy and comfortable for teachers and students. The faculty, staff, and students committed to prioritizing energy efficiency over the last school year and earned this grant through their hard work.” 

“Mt. Pleasant Elementary is extremely honored to be awarded a $10,000 TVA EnergyRight School Uplift grant,” said Mt. Pleasant Elementary School Principal, Julie Tidwell. “This funding will allow us to extend our STEM gardening program by building a greenhouse on our campus. This will provide an extensive learning environment for our students and staff, while giving students the knowledge of how to grow food for their families. We’re grateful to the Tennessee Valley Authority and Mount Pleasant Power System for investing in our school’s future and helping us take a big step toward greater energy stewardship.” 

“The Mount Pleasant Power System congratulates Mt. Pleasant Elementary School for their hard work on winning a TVA Uplift Grant,” said Mount Pleasant Power System General Manager, Al Kerstiens, P.E. “The grant from TVA will enable much needed improvements that will make the school more efficient and healthier for the students and faculty.  Great job, Mt. Pleasant Elementary!” 

Mt. Pleasant and Spring Hill Elementary Schools join over 323 schools that have completed the School Uplift program. On average, participating schools save nearly 10% on their annual energy bills from behavior changes alone.   

“Every dollar invested in our schools helps districts allocate resources to what truly matters – providing quality education for our children,” said Monika Beckner, vice president of TVA’s Energy Services & Programs. "We’re proud of the winners of this year’s School Uplift grants, who are dedicated to reducing energy waste and building a stronger, more sustainable future.” 

Want to Attend College Tuition-Free? Check Out Columbia State’s Reconnect Program

Columbia State Community College will host virtual Tennessee Reconnect information sessions during May.

Tennessee Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship that provides free tuition for adults to attend a community college. The initiative is designed to help adults enter college to gain new skills, advance in the workplace and fulfill lifelong dreams of completing a degree or credential.

“Tennessee Reconnect provides a wonderful opportunity for eligible adult learners to attend Columbia State tuition-free,” said Joni Allison, Columbia State coordinator of Adult Student Services. “We offer multiple information session dates each month to allow easy access for prospective students who would like to begin or return to college.”

To be eligible for Tennessee Reconnect, students must meet the following requirements: haven’t earned an associate or bachelor’s degree, have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and be determined as an independent student, be admitted to Columbia State and enroll in a degree or certificate program and must attend at least part-time (six credit hours).

To view the full list of steps to apply or to sign up for an information session, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Reconnect.

May 17: A Worthy Cause Field Day at Riverwalk Park

Hey friends! A Worthy Cause will be hosting our 3rd Community Field Day on May 17th in Riverwalk Park!

You can sign up a team to compete in fun field day games for a chance to win a cash prize 

Outside of the competition games, the splash pad will be open, we will have other fun games/activities, bounce houses, and Kona Ice of Muletown!!

The community field day is a great way to get outside and enjoy one of Columbia’s awesome parks, connect with others, and play some games!!

Sign up and get more info here or feel free to comment or shoot us a DM if you have any questions!

Saturday, May 17th
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Riverwalk Park
102 Riverside Dr., Columbia

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, May 16th

Saturday, May 17th

Sunday, May 18th

Monday, March 10th

Tuesday, March 11th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

May 29 - 31: Music City Rodeo
June 5-8: CMA Fest
June 7-8: Nashville Comicon

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, May 16th

Music in May, The Awaken House, 5:00-8:00 PM
TBA, The Spot Burgers & Beers, 5:00-8:00 PM
Rob Harris, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00-8:00 PM
Nick Duhe, Buck and Board, 6:00-8:00 PM
Jennifer Leigh & Cody Hunt, Grazie Italian Eatery, 6:30-9:30 PM
Open Mic Night, Grinder’s Switch, 7:00-9:00 PM
Cross Bridges, Puckett’s, 7:30-9:00 PM
5x5, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00-11:00 PM

Saturday, May 17th

Miles Damaso Group, Puckett’s, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Don Phillips, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00-7:00 PM
Trevor Clark, Buck and Board, 5:00-8:00 PM
Rob Higginbotham, Grazie Italian Eatery, 6:30-9:30 PM
Scotty Inman, Todd Tilgham & After Grace, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Lisa Law & The Fab 3, Puckett’s, 7:30-9:00 PM
Michael Farren, Joe Leathers, Damien Boggs, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM, Reservations For Patio
Box of Rox, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00-11:00 PM

Sunday, May 18th

Jay Rin, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00-5:00 PM
CJ Conklin, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00-7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00-7:30 PM
DNR, The Rebel, 7:00 PM

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