By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Chilton County High School band room had some welcome visitors on April 25 when Alabama Sen. Cam Ward and Rep. Jimmy Martin presented grant checks to band director Ashlee Robinson.

Between the two checks, the program received $3,500.

“I am going to utilize them for uniforms for the upcoming years because I know we are going to have more students come in,” Robinson said.

She said there were 60 students in the marching band who wore the uniforms last year.

“In the next two to three years, I anticipate us getting bigger than our uniform stock,” Robinson said.

Updating percussion instruments for the band room is also something the money could go toward.

Ward said the funds were from state funding for education that senators and representatives can award within their districts.

Where the funds are awarded is largely decided by which school programs write to their legislators asking for funding.

Ward said it is really about teachers asking for the funding and describing the need.

“It is the teachers reaching out and really being on the offense trying to help their classes,” Ward said.

Ward and Martin said they can maximize what programs in the shared portion of their districts get by working together to fund the same programs.

Martin said he determines from requests which programs would be the most deserving, while trying to give to as many schools as possible. He said he enjoys knowing he is helping schools in his district.

“It emphasizes the success of local programs,” Ward said.

Band booster member Sherry Cox had written the legislators asking for funding. Cox has been a part of the booster club for three years, and this is her second time helping secure state funding for the program.

Principal Ron Pinson said he was thankful for the funding and support from state leaders and the community.