Westwood Schools recently received $2500 from America’s Farmers Grow Communities
sponsored by Bayer Fund. Through this program, local farmers nominate rural non-profit
organizations and schools to receive this grant. Thanks to farmers, Bayer Fund has been able
to award more than $60 million to thousands of rural nonprofits, ag youth organizations, and
schools across the country for more than 10 years.
This year, Paul Shirah, a farmer in Mitchell County, nominated Westwood Schools in Camilla.
The 2021 Bayer Fund grant was shared equally between the Westwood Shotgun Team and the
Westwood Drama Club.
The Westwood Shotgun Team is comprised of 7 students ranging in ages from 16 to 12,
including 3 returning members of the 2020 GISA State AA Runner-Up Shotgun Team. The Bayer
Fund grant is being used to purchase clay targets and entry fees in shotgun tournaments as
Westwood competes around the state. Meredith and David Rogers who also farm in Mitchell
County serve as coaches for Westwood’s shotgun team. “Our team of outstanding young men
and women emphasizes sportsmanship and teamwork as well as promoting gun safety. We
truly appreciate Bayer Fund helping support our team,” added David Rogers.
In 2020, the Westwood Drama Club won the GISA AA Region 3 One Act Play Region
Championship and competed at the state level with 30 members. With an even larger cast and
crew in 2021, the Bayer Fund grant was used to purchase the rights for the group’s 2021 one-
act play selection as well as costumes and props. Alicia Shirah, director of Westwood’s one-act
play, stated, “We are thrilled that Bayer Fund has helped us grow this program. The
opportunity to perform on stage is so beneficial to the students, helping them gain life skills
through public speaking as well as learning to not only operate, but excel outside of their
comfort zones. Additionally, the students are forging friendships beyond their typical peer
groups.”
Pictured: senior members of Westwood’s Drama Club, Railey Davis, Savanna Hadley, Jacob
Workman
Also pictured Ben Shirah and Liam Rogers, members of both Westwood’s Drama Club and
Shotgun Team.
Westwood Awarded America’s Farmers Grow Communities Grant
