Prairie View Elementary teacher honored for Americanism
Cathy Brown receives a plaque for her efforts promoting Americanism in the classroom from American Legion Post 353 member Mickey White on Nov. 14. (Photo by Jacob Sturm)
By Jacob Sturm
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Prairie View Elementary teacher Cathy Brown was honored by American Legion Post 353
members at a recent meeting for her work promoting Americanism and patriotism in her
classroom.
Mickey White, a member of the American Legion Post 353, said the Legion put it on themselves
to continue promoting the concepts. In fact, the goal is part of the Legion’s mission statement.
“As veterans, we put it upon ourselves to keep promoting it,” White said. “And any way we can
promote it benefits our community and benefits the future generations to protect our
democracy.”
White recalled his inspiration as being his teachers when growing up. He recognized teachers as
being tasked with educating the children in the community, and said that the best thing to do
was to help the teachers as best as he could.
That led to the creation of the Americanism fund, which has helped out with things like robotic
controllers, history books, teachers’ needs and more in the past.
“It’s the teachers that come up with those good ideas, or the kids that come up with these
ideas,” White said. “You can’t pass up a deal like that. That’s money well spent.”
Brown came onto the Legion’s radar for their yearly money giveaway for the Americanism fund
to a teacher. The applications require a synopsis or letter from the teacher about what they will
plan to use the money for, or what the kids in their class want to use the money for in the
classrooms.
Brown’s synopsis indicated her plan was to use the funds to put together care packages to send
overseas.
Brown attended the Nov. 14 American Legion Post 353 meeting and received a plaque for the
Americanism Grant, a $100 gift certificate to Sally’s Nails, and a $50 gift card to Wild Hero
Coffee.
The Americanism fund for the Legion currently has close to $34,000 saved up for future years.
As that number grows, monetary grants will continue to grow for teachers in the community.
The fund is a perpetual and will have a good future in place due to the way it has been invested.
“We’re begging for suggestions on how to spend this money and give it away,” White said.
American Legion Post 353 members were recognized during an awards presentation at the Nov. 14 meeting in the Senior Center inside Mustang Town Center. (Photo by Jacob Sturm)
