Tribune-Star Editorial: Grants lay foundation for students' futures - The Tribune-Star Editorial Board Nov 28, 2025

Big feelings.
We all have them. In fact, it could be argued big feelings can either have calming, positive effects or disastrous ones.
That’s why teaching children social and emotional skills at a young age can lay a strong foundation for their futures.
Thanks to a grant from the Vigo County Education Foundation, kindergarteners at Deming Early Learning Center are learning about emotions and how to manage their feelings.
In fact, thanks to $34,856 committed to 16 schools, grants will support a variety of activities ranging from a school musical, educational field trips, programs that encourage good attendance and behavior, STEM initiatives, family involvement programs, and more, reported the Tribune-Star’s Sue Loughlin.
The newest awards — between $1,000 and $3,000 each — were announced last Friday.
The students at Deming are able to participate in “Little Spots of Emotions,” programming that thanks to a grant sponsored by Alternatives for Living and Learning, the center will be able to expand to pre-kindergarten classes, said principal Chrissy Jarvis, who received the award last year as well to start the program at Deming.
Jarvis hears positive feedback. Because of the program she says students are better able to process emotions and stay in a classroom. Deming transition kindergarten teacher Katrina Thompson said she sees a big difference in how children handle situations. Initially, whereas they may be extremely frustrated by a difficult task, later on, they learn perseverance and to keep trying, Loughlin reported.
“Our hope is by addressing this critical need at a young age, we are implementing necessary early intervention allowing for greater future academic success and healthier social interactions with peers,” Jarvis said. “They can’t learn until they learn how to self regulate and manage their emotions. With this age group, that’s the most critical thing we can teach them.”
Indeed, teaching social and emotional skills can mean the difference between peace and war as these children become the future leaders of our communities, states and country.
Grants awarded this cycle also ignite a passion in students to give back. At Terre Haute North, students in need are being clothed. A project at Woodrow Wilson Middle School will expose students to a love of history and at Rio Grande Elementary, students are encouraged “to be the best they can be by demonstrating positive character traits.”
Many more programs funded by these grants follow the same themes.
Vigo County School Corp. Superintendent Chris Himsel told Loughlin the grants are “developing the talent and nurturing the creativity of our kids.”
Communities of the Wabash Valley are true philanthropic stars. When a need presents itself, individual citizens and organizations step up — and quickly. The Vigo County Education Foundation is just one of many leading the charge. Those who give money to entities like the Foundation should understand their investment is paying off and will for years to come.