Each year, the TFEE honors the life and legacy of longtime Troy School District teacher Sharon Alexander by presenting graduating seniors active in the arts with the Sharon Alexander Scholarship. This year, the honor was presented to four graduating seniors. 

The TFEE is proud to award Justin Esdale and Chloe Upton from Troy Athens High School and Ammar Marz Ahmad and Annie Tang from Troy High School with the 2021 Sharon Alexander Scholarship. 

Justin Esdale has been active in Orchestra during his time at Troy Athens HS, including developing a Summer Orchestra Camp for students to take part in during the summer of 2020. Mr. Quinn, Athens Orchestra Director, said that Justin is a positive, moral boosting young man with a wonderful spirit.

Chloe Upton has been very involved with the arts during her time at Athens. She currently has art on display at Children's Hospital in Troy and Oakland University. Ms. Sordyl, Athens Art Teacher, said that Chloe is a natural leader and a challenge seeker. 

Ammar Marz Ahmad is in the drumline at Troy High School, where he has served as section leader, earning both district and state honors, and performing at the Michigan Music Conference. Mr. Greenwood, Associate Director of Bands at Troy High School said that Ammar has shown a tremendous amount of growth as a musician, that Ammar gives 100% to everything they do and that they are a leader who helps others. 

Annie Tang is a flute player at Troy High School. She also performs with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Wind Ensemble. In recommending her for the scholarship, Mr. Nutting, Troy Band Director, said that Annie is mature beyond her years and is the most focused and dedicated student he's ever worked with. 

You can watch the video presentation of the Sharon Alexander Scholarship by clicking the links below. 

Athens HS Scholarship Presentation
Troy HS Scholarship Presentation 

The TFEE would like to say a special thank you to Boulan Park teacher, and TFEE grant administrator, Mr. Scott Germansky for producing these videos. 

After 33 years supporting the Troy School District, the Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence hired their first Executive Director in May. Alison Hendry joined the Foundation after a months long search, and more than a year of planning on the part of the Foundation.
 
“The TFEE is extremely fortunate to have Alison Hendry join our team as Executive Director.” Said TFEE President Julie McClure. “Alison brings an enormous wealth of experience and knowledge with her which will aid us tremendously in supporting our Troy School District students and staff. Her background as a director of another large school foundation, as well as her experience as a teacher (Music and Band Director), enhances her skill set as someone who can readily identify and implement opportunities for the Board to continue their mission.”
 
Hendry brings with her a unique blend of experience in both the nonprofit sector and public education. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of the Birmingham Education Foundation. In addition, Hendry is the mother of a student at Martell Elementary and the wife of a teacher in a neighboring school district.
 
“I am excited by to lead the TFEE and make a difference in my community. The Foundation has seen a great deal of growth over the last five years, and I cannot wait to help the trustees take the Foundation to the next level, for the benefit of our students and teachers.” says Hendry.
 
“As we develop a strategic plan under Alison’s guidance, we hope to increase our visibility within the Troy community and grow our donations, so that we may give more grants to both individual classrooms and projects that support the district as a whole.” Say President McClure.
 
Hendry hopes to continue building on the momentum that the Foundation gained during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included offering every TSD teacher the opportunity to receive their choice of Tech Tools to help them teach during the pandemic, a successful gift card raffle, and a large district-wide grant which will provide classroom libraries for every TSD Middle School Language Arts, Special Education and English Language teacher.
 
Since 1989, the Troy Foundation for Educational Excellence has raised funds to support and enhance education in the Troy School District. For more information about the TFEE, visit their website at www.TroyFoundation.org