Foxfire Schools are equipping students with necessary skills to be successful employees in the future. With the help of Huntington Bank, those students will now have advanced technology skills and the knowledge to manage their own finances.

A new partnership between Huntington Bank and Foxfire School that blossomed this spring has brought a STEM program, as well as financial literacy, to many students.

Foxfire had previously started to develop a STEM program, but with limited funds and resources, the school was not able to bring the program to fruition.

“Huntington wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people who are in need of having some additional training for the job market in technology,” Bob Grayson, the Administrator for Student Programs at Foxfire Schools, said.

The school was working with Zane State College to train teachers in anticipation of the program launching.

During an event, previous Huntington Bank Community President Danny Mizer approached representatives from Zane State looking to help children in the area with education. Zane State referred Mizer to Foxfire as the school was working diligently to establish a STEM program.

“It was just at the right time, at the right place to get us going and to get this thing moving for us because we just simply couldn’t move forward because we didn’t have the resources,” Grayson said. “And $2,500 is a lot of money for us and it has done some wonderful things, but Danny and people at Zane State were the beginning planners for that.”

With the awarding of the $2,500 grant, Foxfire was able to finish official training for its teachers and purchase equipment for the students who will partake in the STEM program.

“Also, we had nothing here. Nothing in terms of 3D printers, any type of materials that would tie into the program,” Grayson said. “The Huntington Bank donation gave us the monies to begin at least to buy the necessities for the computer lab that would happen.”

The STEM program, geared toward 5th through 8th grade students, affords students the opportunity to receive extra education in science, technology, engineering and math four days per week.

In addition to the STEM grant, Huntington Bank felt that it could do more to further equip students for the workforce.

Volunteers from Huntington Bank, under the leadership of Huntington employee Reggie Thomas, are assisting Foxfire in implementing a financial literacy program.

“We had been looking and searching for a financial literacy program that could be tailored specifically for kids at Foxfire,” Grayson said.

While a financial literacy program had previously been considered, Grayson said a program was not found that fully fix the needs of the students.

“Huntington is so proud to be part of this new STEM program that’s leading the way for these students today and for their future endeavors,” Summer Sims, Huntington Bank Community President, said. “And we are looking forward to really being able to sit down with each individual student and help them prepare for their financial needs in the future, as well. We are really excited to get that program started.”

Grayson extended immense gratitude toward Huntington Bank and their eagerness to help the youth in the community. He also thanked Zane State, Foxfire teachers that took on the program and Shenandoah Schools for their training.

“Foxfire is spending a lot of time right now getting our kids in the workforce, getting them the soft skills they need to learn how to be a good employee, and also, if they don’t know how to manage the money they earn it can go quickly,” Grayson said. “So, we need all of that to make this work here.”