Congratulations to Niles McKinley High School art teacher Mrs. Laurie DeLucia - she has been awarded a $500 grant from the Trumbull Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). She is one of only four educators in Trumbull County to receive this honor for the 2024–2025 school year. “I am just so surprised,” DeLucia shared after the TRTA grant committee presented her with the award in her classroom on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. “I was never expecting this, and I’m very excited!”

DeLucia plans to use the grant to create a Legends in Art History mural or installation project that highlights the achievements of historical figures. Students will research individuals who have profoundly impacted history—such as John Glenn, Harriet Tubman, Walt Disney, and Benjamin Franklin—and transform their stories into visual, symbolic narratives enhanced by technology.

“This project is unique because it integrates multiple disciplines: art, history, and technology,” DeLucia explained. “Students will not only learn about influential historical figures but also share the most significant and compelling events of their lives through their artwork. Just as these legends left a lasting mark on history, the arts have the power to shape how others view and understand history.”

The grant will help cover the cost of materials for the project. Students will begin their research in February 2025, with the completed works set to debut at the Niles McKinley High School Art Show on April 15, 2025.

The TRTA awards grants to active teachers to support innovative classroom projects across all academic disciplines and grade levels. The funds are raised through events such as bake sales and craft shows, emphasizing the association members’s continued commitment to education.

Mrs. DeLucia will share the outcomes of her students’ work with TRTA members at the organization’s August 2025 meeting. Congratulations!