Alva Review-Courier -

A sunny, unseasonably pleasant Saturday in August is a day Monty Thompson would have found perfect for playing nine or, most likely, 18 holes of golf. On Aug. 13, over 50 of his buddies and other friends and family teed off in the annual Monty Thompson Golf Outing at the Anthony (Kansas) Golf Course.

Since Thompson's death in 2008 due to melanoma cancer, the Monty Thompson Continuing Education Foundation was formed. Plans for the foundation were in the works before he died and he knew days before his death it would be named in his memory, which his daughter Christy Hackleman said at the time "touched him."

A lifelong educator, Thompson was a longtime teacher and principal at South Barber School. Foundation board member Mike Miller, who organizes the golf outing, said the foundation has given over $40,000 to South Barber Schools USD 255 the past seven years. To date at the end of February the total was $48,415.07. Miller said the golf outing raised over $6,000 this year.

The money is given in the form of teacher grants. Teachers apply for funding of specific needs for projects or materials in their classrooms. Examples of these include field trips; library books; calculators; formation of the FCCLA student organization; microwaves; reading, grammar and music curriculum materials; world maps; snacks for students; cameras; instruments; technology upgrades; digital microscopes; equipment for industrial arts and FFA shop work; an animal phonics carpet; art supplies – the list goes on and on.

Foundation President Tiffany Bodemann said, "It's a strong, supportive foundation that helps support our school. At our in-service yesterday, it was neat so see so many teachers stand up and say what a difference the foundation gifts have made in their classroom. Without that money many of the purchases wouldn't have been possible."

Current officers for the MTCEF are President Tiffany Bodemann; Vice President Julia Fritze; Treasurer Kim Blevins; Jane Thompson, recording secretary and family representative to the board (she's Monty's widow who was a longtime teacher and now retired); Mark Schrock, corresponding secretary.

Miller said, "This is a wonderful foundation and I'm thankful of how great the community supports it to give our kids a stronger education." He said without the generous sponsors and donations from the businesses and individuals of the community, the gifts would not be possible. He also thanks the Anthony Golf Club and its members for their cooperation.

If you were not able to attend the golf outing, and would still like to donate, make a check payable to MTCEF and mail to Kim Blevins, 430 Main, Kiowa, KS 67070.