By JOYANNA LOVE/Senior Staff Writer

CLANTON — Chilton County High School welding and AP literature classes have received funds to expand student opportunities.

Each class received a Partners Enhancing Education in Chilton County grant from the Chilton Education Foundation.

Marlan Harton received $792 for welding equipment, such as aprons, gloves, sleeves and auto darkening helmets, so more students can weld projects at the same time.

“Some of the students, we have to have them just wait because we do not have enough equipment for all of them to be engaged, so what this is going to allow us to do is have more students work on these projects,” Harton said.

Harton said he has taught the welding program for six years.

“Covering the theory in the classroom and then having them come back here and fuse two pieces of materials together, just seeing them complete that, their eyes and just the amazement they have” is what Harton said he enjoys about teaching the course.

Workforce opportunities in welding are also highlighted in the class. Harton said there is “a demand and need for welders.”

“Once I introduce them to it, they can go out to the career tech center where they will do it all day. I just cover the basics,” Harton said.

Welding classes are open to ninth through 12 grade students. The projects start out simple in design and then become more complex as the class goes on.

Fellow CCHS teacher Jennifer Blencowe received $1,000 for books for her AP Literature and Composition class. The books will give students access to more titles that have been a part of the AP course test in the past.

“We wrote the grant so we could purchase the books that were not available here on campus or in personal collections,” Blencowe said.

She said she will be focusing on purchasing books by authors of different cultural backgrounds and countries than what the students would ordinarily read.

“I want them to have the opportunity to read in their interest, but broaden their perspective,” Blencowe said.

Students will read the book then write an essay on the book during a timed 40-minute test.

At the end of the course, students can take the AP test which has questions about multiple pieces of literature and an essay portion.  Those who pass the AP test can usually receive college credit. Blencowe said different colleges accepted different scores to count for credit. However, even if students  do not get the college credit, the AP course help prepares the student for college level work.

“I love what I teach, but it is also about challenging some of the brightest kids in the school … and not just allowing them to coast,” Blencowe said.

Blencowe said some of her students helped her develop the list of books the class needed.

The PEECh grant program was started in 1996. The grant program is made possible through donations to the Chilton Education Foundation.