Congratulations to all of the recipients of the 2025 California Casualty Music & Arts Grants! Our field team had the privilege to connect both in-person and virtually with many of the grant recipients to present them with a check for $250 to put towards supporting their schools’ music or arts program.
Check out the awardee spotlights and see the full list of recipients below.
Jessica Bennett – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Diablo Vista Elementary, Antioch, California
Jessica Bennett, California Teachers Association (CTA)
Jessica wrote on her application: “From my 18 years of experience, all extracurricular programs are always in jeopardy and often the first ones impacted by budget cuts in the education system. We currently do not have any art classes or curriculum at my school, and I am unaware of any within the district. Therefore, this grant would at minimum provide my 4th grade team with the ability to introduce more art into our classroom by purchasing the expensive and needed materials that our very small budgets can’t such as paints, pastels, paper, clay, etc. With these materials we would be able to provide more hands on art experiences for our 4th grade students.
Jessica says…” I am excited to purchase all of the new art supplies for my kids. First up on my list is the necessary clay and paint for our art projects.”
Pictured: Principal Bonny Bausola, Awardee Jessica Bennett, and Angie Rajczyk, Sr. Field Marketing Manager for California Casualty
Danielle Jensen – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Stoneman Elementary School, Pittsburg, California
Danielle Jensen, California Teachers Association (CTA)
Elementary Visual Arts Program (EVAP)
Danielle wrote in her application: “I teach in a Title One school with over 81% of our scholars receiving free or reduced lunch. The 2023-24 school year was the first year of our elementary visual arts program, and the district allotted each EVAP teacher with a (one-time) $1,500 budget per site to purchase art supplies from the district-approved company (Southwest). There were many items I was unable to purchase for my art students that I want to get this year to give them more varied art experiences. Specifically, they have been asking for opportunities to sculpt with clay and weave with yarn. Budgets have not yet been formalized for the 24-25 school year, so I am unsure how much EVAP funding there will be. Receiving this grant will help ensure that my 200+ art students at Stoneman get to experience sculpture and the fiber arts, most for the very first time, regardless of anticipated budget constraints”
Danielle says on winning the award.…” I am looking forward to purchasing the necessary materials to teach my kids how to use yarn and weave, a beautiful artistic skill to have.”
Pictured: Art Teacher Makaela Huntsinger, Awardee Danielle Jensen and Angie Rajczyk, Sr. Field Marketing Manager for California Casualty
Jessica Fitzsimmons – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Wilson Elementary, Medford, Oregon
Jessica Fitzsimmons, Oregon Education Association (OEA)
Wilson Elementary Feelings in Art Program
Jessica wrote in her application: “With all of the uncertainty in education right now, I am unsure if this program will be affected by budget cuts. I will use this money to buy Play-Doh and clay and tools to go with those for students to have a creative outlet anytime they are having big feelings. Students are much more apt to express their feelings non-verbally while they are regulating. It would be used with students K-5.”
Photo: Principal Nicole Lavelle, Awardee Jessica Fitzsimmons.
Michelle Orgon – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Clyde W. Needham, Lodi, California
Michelle Orgon, California Teachers Association (CTA)
Michelle wrote on her application: “An art enrichment program, choice by students. The students are socio-economically disadvantaged. They will choose a multi-week course. This will teach specific skills for students to develop skills and learn techniques for developing art through a project by age. They will learn about different artists and apply similar concepts to art they create on their own. This will give them a creative opportunities and develop artist understanding and appreciation”
Michelle Orgon says: “I am so grateful to California Casualty to help support students and classroom teachers with this grant. This grant will afford my students with additional art opportunities.”
Photo: Angie Rajczyk, Sr. Field Marketing Manager for California Casualty, Awardee and former LEA President Michelle Orgon, and Principal Charalee Cunninghan.
Jocelyn Babb – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Berkshire Elementary School, Bakersfield , California
Jocelyn Babb, California Teachers Association (CTA)
Transitional Kindergarten Process Art Program
Upon receiving the award, Jocelyn stated: “This grant from California Casualty will make such a meaningful difference in my Transitional Kindergarten classroom by allowing us to add more hands-on art and creative experiences to our daily learning. These funds will support process art, fine motor activities, and open-ended projects that help students build confidence, communication skills, and a true love of learning. For many of my students, school is their main place to explore art materials, so this gift truly expands what’s possible for them. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to give my students more ways to create, explore, and express themselves.”
Pictured: Jocelyn Babb
Micah Brandt – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Wheatland Middle School, Wheatland , Wyoming
Micah Brandt, Wyoming Education Association (WEA)
Middle School Art: Ceramics Program
Micah Brandt wrote in her application: ”I have $700 budget per year and 120 students.
$5.80 isn’t much to educate a student for five months. $1.40 per student per month. One of my pottery wheels just broke and this would be enough to order a new pottery wheel motor for $125 and purchase new clay tools…”
Photo: Greg Herold, UniServ Director, Jolie Spence, Account Development Manager California Casualty, Awardee Micah Brandt, Leslie Harlan, Platte County EA President.
Erica Seago – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Arrowhead Middle School, Kansas City, Kansas
Erica Seago, NEA
Instrumental Music Program
Erica Seago wrote in her application: Our school district has a fine arts department that is being impacted by overall school budget cuts. Each year a smaller percentage of the budget is allocated for the fine arts department despite growing numbers enrolled. Our school district is an urban Title 1 district and this money would be able to help provide things like tuners for band and orchestra, binders for music, and some instrument supplies for basic maintenance.
Photo: Erica Seago, Awardee
Alexis Mauser – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Henderson Elementary, Henderson, Colorado
Alexis Mauser, Colorado Education Association (CEA)
Henderson Elementary Art Program
Alexis Mauser applied for the grant on behalf of Art Teacher Amanda Jensen. On the application she wrote: “We are the only school in the district that only has 2 specials – they cut music last year and replaced it with art. Since replacing it, we have relied on donations for supplies in the art room. I think our school really gets overlooked and it’s not fair for the teachers to be the ones to have to make up for it.”
Photo: Jolie Spence, Account Development Manager California Casualty, Kathey Ruybal, BEA President, Alexis Mauser, Applicant and Art Teacher Amanda Jensen
Danielle Luby – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Lee Elementary School, Salem, Oregon
Danielle Luby, Oregon Education Association (OEA)
Dee Dee Templeton, Account Development Manager, shared the news with Danielle about her application being selected for a Music & Arts Grant. Dee Dee mentioned that Danielle was overjoyed to receive the award and that the moment was made even more special by including her entire 2nd-grade class in the presentation. The kids were bursting with excitement and questions. They were so engaged and curious, which made the whole experience truly unforgettable. Seeing the students’ enthusiasm and joy was incredibly heartwarming.
Ms. Luby has fantastic plans for the grant funds, including several creative projects like parade floats and a fun tie-dye activity.
Photo: Dee Dee Templeton, Account Development Manager California Casualty, Awardee Danielle Luby
Abby Blakeney – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Abraham Lincoln High School, Denver, Colorado
Abby Blakeney, Colorado Education Association (CEA)
Instrumental Music Program: Band, Guitar, and Peer-to-Peer Music
Abby wrote in her application: “These grant funds would be used to purchase music and curriculum that better fits our student population (including our Special Needs music makers) and provide extra playing materials such as reeds and guitar picks that our students are always in need of.”
Photo: Jolie Spence, Account Development Manager California Casualty, Awardee Abby Blakeney, dressed as Sally Brown from Peanuts for a staff costume contest.
Jenny Hall – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Antelope Trails Elementary School, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Jenny Hall, Colorado Education Association (CEA)
Music classroom at Antelope Trails Elementary School
Jenny wrote in her application: “These funds will be used to buy instruments and musical equipment for the music room. The $250 grant would almost double my classroom budget for the entire year. Since I teach the entire school, over 300 students will benefit from this grant.”
Photo: Jolie Spence, Account Development Manager California Casualty, Awardee Jenny Hall
Shantelle Gillis – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Northside Elementary, Sandpoint, Idaho
Shantelle Gillis, Idaho Education Association (IEA)
Arts Integration Program
In her application, Shantelle wrote: “Because we are a small and rural school, we are not provided with an art teacher like other schools in our district are. But we know how important art is to our students so the grant money provides us with an art parapro and budget for supplies needed to offer this to all our students each school year.”
Photo: Awardee Shantelle Gillis, Art Paraprofessional Janice Riley.
Adam Smith – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Fort Hall Elementary, Pocatello, Idaho
Adam Smith, Idaho Education Association (IEA)
Dee Dee Templeton, Sr. Account Development Manager with California Casualty shared that Mr. Smith applied for the grant for his class to purchase additional art supplies to create projects that are culturally relevant to their Native American students.
In the photo is grant winner Adam Smith and Principal Debbie Steele.
William Brewer – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
F.L. Schlagle High School, Kansas City, Kansas
William Brewer, Kansas National Education Association (KNEA)
Vocal Music Program
William wrote in his application: “The grant funds will aid in the purchase of a djembe drum, a 5-piece full size drum set, and a conga drum set, culturally relevant instruments for school heritage assemblies and performances.”
Photo: Grant Winner William Brewer
Janina Tabor – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Harvey Clarke Elementary, Forest Grove, Oregon
Janina Tabor, Oregon Education Association (OEA)
Dee Dee Templeton, Sr. Account Development Manager with California Casualty shared that Janina plans to use the grant funds to purchase art supplies. She would like to add watercolors, tempura cakes, and watercolor paper for a classroom project. Janina mentioned she buys all her classroom supplies out of her own pocket.
Photo: Dee Dee Templeton, Sr. Account Development Manager with California Casualty, Awardee Janina Tabor
Yvette Cortes – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Sierra Vista Elementary , Madera, California
Yvette Cortes, California Teachers Association (CTA)
2nd Grade Art Program
On her application, Yvette wrote: “Sierra Vista is a Title I school. The grant would be allocated in the 2nd grade level which consists of 4 classes. Art is not taught with a big emphasis as students get older and I believe our students would benefit greatly from art funds so that they can learn to express themselves through their creativity. This grant will us to have funds for supplies such as paint, construction paper, clay, etc.”
Kristin King – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Echo Shaw Elementary School , Cornelius , Oregon
Kristin King, Oregon Education Association (OEA)
Dee Dee Templeton, Sr. Account Development Manager with California Casualty, had the pleasure of delivering the grant to Ms. King and her entire 3rd grade class. Both she and her students were thrilled to win the award.
Ms. King plans to use the grant funds to purchase art supplies and to take her students on a field trip to the Portland Youth Philharmonic. She also shared that she has several exciting art projects planned for January.
Photo from left to right: Principal Laura Mannen and grant recipient Kristen King.
Erica Rutledge – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Frye Elementary, Chandler, Arizona
Erica Rutledge, Arizona Education Association (AEA)
Erica included on her application: “We never have received funding in support of our musical. We depend on parent donation and thrifting to get our costumes and props. This grant will go to helping us build our prop and costume closet and towards set pieces we share with other title I schools. This is our 3rd year in the musical program and it is completely up to us to pay for the license, scripts and score.”
Photo: Chandler EA President Laurel Miller, Awardee Erica Rutledge, AEA Organizational Consultant Katie Nash
Alice Wilson – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Coronado Village Elementary School, Coronado, California
Alice Wilson, Association of Coronado Teachers
Inez Morales, Sr. Account Development Manager at California Casualty had the pleasure of awarding Ms. Wilson with the grant award, which she was thrilled to receive. She stated that the funds will allow her to purchase crayons, markers, and erasers for every 3rd‑grade student, with a little extra left over for additional art supplies.
Photo: Award Recipient Alice Wilson
Alice Wilson – 2025 Music & Arts Grant Awardee Spotlight
Amelia Earhart Elementary School, Indio, California
Evangelina Felix Osuna, California Teachers Association (CTA)
Inez Morales, Sr. Account Development Manager at California Casualty, presented Ms. Osuna with the award and adds that upon receiving it she was completely shocked. Ms. Osuna learned about the grant at the New Educator Conference. The funds will help her purchase specialty supplies for their new program.
Photo: Recipient Evangelina Osuna, Awardee
The complete list of 2025 Grant recipients are:
- SuJenna Griner, VAPA – Visual and Performing Arts – Art 1, Art 2, AP Studio Art, Mural Painting
- Marisa Finlayson, , Music-Jazz Band
- Kristin Wells, Bowman Charter School, Auburn, California, Band Program
- Jessica Bennett , Diablo Vista Elementary , Antioch , California, Being able to provide more consistent grade-level art programs in class
- Danielle Jensen, Stoneman Elementary School, Pittsburg, California, Elementary Visual Arts Program (EVAP)
- Michelle Orgon, Clyde W. Needham, Lodi, California, Classroom Art
- Adam Smith, Fort Hall Elementary, Pocatello, Idaho, We often have culturally relevant Native American art projects as part of our 5th grade curriculum
- Shantelle Gillis, Northside Elementary, Sandpoint, Idaho, “Arts Integration”
- Jessica Fitzsimmons, Wilson Elementary , Medford, Oregon, Feelings in art
- Janina Tabor, Harvey Clarke Elementary, Forest Grove, Oregon, Classroom art supplies
- Danielle Luby, Lee Elementary School, Salem, Oregon, Art is integrated into every classroom in our school building
- Kristin King, Echo Shaw Elementary School , Cornelius , Oregon, Classroom art
- Lauren Pomrantz, Del Mar Elementary, Santa Cruz, California, Our first grade class performs a musical every year.
- Jocelyn Babb, Berkshire Elementary School, Bakersfield , California, Transitional Kindergarten process art program
- Yvette Cortes, Sierra Vista Elementary , Madera, California, 2nd Grade Art
- Erica Rutledge , Frye Elementary , Chandler , Arizona, Our yearly Disney Musical, Finding Nemo
- Amanda Sabados, Silver Gate Elementary , San Diego, California, For my moderate-severe needs, special education students
- Alice Wilson, Coronado Village Elementary School, Coronado, California, Art integrated into general education settings across all subjects in 3rd grade.
- Marisa Primacio, Clear View Elementary School, Chula Vista, California, Dance Program
- Evangelina Felix Osuna, Amelia Earhart Elementary School, Indio, California, Elementary Visual Arts
- Erica Holloway, Charles Bursch Elementary, Baldwin Park, California, Performing Arts- Dance
- Vanessa Van Dyck, Jefferson Leadership Academy, Long Beach, California, Art – Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced
- Bill Estrada Gallimore, Glendale High School, Glendale, California, Instrumental Music
- Amber Garcia, Centennial School District R-1, San Luis, Colorado, Art and Music Department
- Abby Blakeney, Abraham Lincoln High School, Denver, Colorado, Instrumental Music Program: Band, Guitar, and Peer-to-Peer Music
- Jenny Hall, Antelope Trails Elementary School , Colorado Springs, Colorado, Music classroom at ATE
- Alexis Mauser, Henderson Elementary, Henderson, Colorado, Art
- William Brewer, F.L. Schlagle High School, Kansas City, Kansas, Vocal Music Program
- Erica Seago, Arrowhead Middle School, Kansas City, Kansas, Instrumental Music
- Micah Brandt, Wheatland Middle School, Wheatland , Wyoming, Middle School Art: Ceramics Program
Learn more about the California Casualty Music & Arts Grant, and our other Community Impact Program, the Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant.
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