By JOYANNA LOVE/Senior Staff writer

MAPELSVILLE —The Isabella High School band is a step closer to an updated uniform after receiving a Power to Play grant from Alabama Power.

“The kids are excited. They have had the same uniform for the last 10 years or so, and they are ready for a change. They are ready for something new,” band director Myra Webb said.

Plans for expanding the program are underway.

“We are looking at going from two dozen kids to doubling that next year,” Webb said.

New band uniforms for all of these students is expected to cost between $15,000 and $20,000.

The uniforms would be worn during performances at the school and during competitions.

Aleah Kiefer, a senior at IHS, said she was thankful for the support for the program.

This is her second year in the program playing the electric bass.

Webb said she heard about the grant opportunity from the assistant principal at Isabella High School.

A design for the band uniforms has not been selected yet. Webb said it will feature the school colors and have a military style.

“We’d like to thank the community for supporting us through the years,” Webb said.

The Alabama Power grant check was presented to Webb by Van Forrester, business office manager for Alabama Power’s Clanton office.

Forrester said the Alabama Power Foundation will award 36 grants this year. Half of the grants will be to sports programs, while the other half will go to arts programs.

The goal of the grants “is to increase participation in the programs,” Forrester said.

Grant recipients are selected by the foundation’s board of directors.

“One of the main things is that 50 percent of the school has to be on free and reduced lunch,” Forrester said.

The board of directors also looks at the need of the particular programs that apply.

“The Foundation since 1989 has given out more than 20,000 scholarships, so to be a part of a company that does that with non-ratepayer dollars, it is something that you just can’t describe. It’s such a great company to be a part of,” Forrester said.

Money for the grants comes from shareholder donations.

Those interested in helping the band reach its monetary goal can contact the school at 205-280-2770 for more information.