Grant races to three high schools

Jimmie Johnson Presents Point Loma With a CheckOn the heels of winning his fourth-consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championship, San Diego native Jimmie Johnson showed that he’s a champion off the track as well. Chandra and Jimmie Johnson announced donations totaling $922,000 for the 2009 Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Champions Grants on Monday, November 30. San Diego Unified Crawford IDEA; Crawford MVAS and Point Loma high schools were three of the schools celebrated at a special ceremony held at Crest Elementary in El Cajon where Johnson attended school as a boy.

Crawford High School of Multimedia & Visual Arts School received $87,000 to create an art fabrication lab that will prepare students for careers in the local media arts industry by allowing them to design high-tech community-based projects. Under the direction of instructor Brian Black, MVAS students will use the lab to design and produce media art projects that will improve the quality of life in the City Heights community.

Crawford High School IDEA was awarded $32,495 in support of the career technical education program related to transportation technology and alternative fuels. Under the direction of instructors Carl Kingsly and Greg Quirin, students enrolled in the automotive classes at the school will convert gasoline powered engines to operate on cleaner, alternative fuels.

Point Loma High School received $90,000 to build a weight room and exercise facility for students. Athletic Director John Murphy believes that this facility, which will be used by student athletes and students participating in physical education programs, will help the young people focus on health and fitness using state-of-the-art equipment.

“This is what the foundation is all about, being able to give back to communities in need. We are grateful for the partnership with Lowe’s and their guidance as our foundation begins its work in education,” said Johnson.

For a complete list of 2009 grant recipients and projects, please visit the foundation's website.


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