Lake City High School has been awarded a $175,000 grant by The Larch Foundation to benefit the school's college readiness program, marching band and athletic teams.
The grant is donor-advised with specific spending amounts and directions for the purchase of uniforms and equipment for the marching band program, the LCHS Panther 2.0 college readiness and scholarship acquisition program, upgrades to the LCHS weight room with new equipment, and assistance to the football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball teams with uniforms and equipment needs.
Since last spring, Lake City High School Athletic Director Matt Apicella and Superintendent Dr. Laura Hickson have worked with The Larch Foundation to identify specific needs and cost estimates.
“FSD3 appreciates the generous support the Larch Foundation gives to enhance opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Hickson.
"We are ecstatic for this blessing as it will truly help lift a burden from the district," said Apicella. "I cannot speak highly enough about The Larch Foundation and their generosity. The marching band program was in desperate need of new equipment and uniforms, and this grant will allow band director Michael Clark to continue building his program," he said. "The Panther 2.0 program, under the direction of Tressia Gibbs and Tonia Wilson, has guided so many of our students to become college-ready with applications, FAFSA assistance, and especially scholarship applications and essays. We are excited to see that program gain the resources to grow," Apicella added. "Finally, COVID has severely limited our athletic department resources due to a lack of game admission revenue. This grant will allow us to continue to provide our students with opportunities to excel."