Extra Credit Union Offers New Rhythm of Learning with $10K in School Employee Grants
Cardio drumming — it’s the hottest new way to incorporate energy, music, and rhythm into a cardio exercise. Participants use drumsticks to hit an exercise ball placed on a bucket as they follow the rhythm of the music.
Students at Carter Middle School will soon be getting in on the action thanks to a $1,500 School Employee Grant from Extra Credit Union. Gym teacher Susie Gurney is one of 11 recipients of the grant for the 2024-25 school year, with funds totaling $10,000.
“The purpose of cardio drumming is to introduce a new aspect of physical education and cardio to students,” said Gurney. “Cardio drumming is a fun and engaging full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, coordination, rhythm, and can be easily adapted for students of all fitness levels. There are studies that show that cardio drumming also helps alleviate stress and anxiety, which promote positive mental health.”
She will be using funds from the grant to purchase supplies needed to get the program started, such as stability balls, drumming sticks, buckets, and storage racks. She plans on implementing the program as soon as she receives the new materials.
Gurney recently was surprised with news of winning the grant by members of Extra’s financial education team during one of her early afternoon gym classes on Facebook Live. She was grateful for the funds and the new opportunity.
“This will provide a unique and fun way to encourage a different way to promote physical fitness,” she said. “Students are too dependent on phones and video games. We need to find ways to break this cycle.”
Gurney is hoping to use the new program to reach students traditional gym activities may not.
“Every single student has to take a physical education class and not every student is into physical activity, some students are into band or art,” she said. “Cardio drumming hits almost every student’s interest, using music and creativity to do cardio. You don’t have to have an athletic bone in your body to be able to excel and have fun with cardio drumming.”
Extra’s School Employee Grant has been helping support “extra” needs for local schools and classrooms for 14 years — with funds totaling $140,000.
“From mental and physical health to out-of-the-box ways to enhance reading skills and bring school communities together through urban gardening, this year’s grant requests and projects are very impressive,” said Ruthann Varosi, VP of marketing at Extra Credit Union. “We’re happy to help support these school employees in their efforts to further reach their students’ different learning styles, encourage fun in learning, provide new opportunities, and essentially fill in the gaps where their own school budgets otherwise wouldn’t allow for the ‘extras’.”
The following individuals also were awarded with an Extra Credit Union School Employee Grant this school year out of the 22 applications the financial institution received:
- Eric Kaush, Amy Lenz, and Merima Logo—Carleton Middle School—$1,000 to purchase items needed to implement a new Serenity Room in the school
- Lauren Grove—St. Mary of the Hills Preschool—$750 to purchase materials needed to enhance their reading corners
- Joe Haynes—Center Line Public Schools—$1,500 to buy gardening tools and materials needed to start their community urban garden
- Allison Gurche—Will L. Lee Elementary School—$1,500 to help with materials needed to implement the PRIDE Reading Program for her Special Education students
- James Wagner—Anchor Bay High School—$800 to pay the cost for students to attend the Business Professionals of America State Leadership Conference
- Corrine Christiansen—Richmond High School—$600 to provide funding for 10 students to attend a Capital Connection International Tour
- Tracey Bailey—Wolfe Middle School—$350 to purchase board games to help with reading, language, and vocab skills
- Susie Gurney—Carter Middle School—$1,500 to purchase items needed to incorporate cardio drumming in her gym classes
- Brandon Drude—L’Anse Creuse High School—$1,000 to help implement a new Anime and Gaming Club
- Leanne Davis—Chatterton Middle School—$250 to cover the cost of one inflatable at the 8th grade celebration this spring
- Danielle Nunnold—Warren Woods elementary schools—$750 to buy products needed to kickstart the Warren Woods Period Program
Grant recipients will be honored in June at Extra’s annual Excellence Awards, an event at which the credit union also honors its annual scholarship recipients. Scholarship winners will be announced in the spring. Visit Extra’s website for more information on the credit union’s involvement in schools.
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