MCKINNEY, TEXAS—The McKinney High School Parent-Teacher Organization (MHSPTO) is giving $18,000 to scholarships and to fulfill its endowment through the McKinney Education Foundation (MEF).

“We will give four $1000 scholarships to seniors this year, and we will give $14,000 to our endowment. This endowment means that if we are financially unable to fund scholarships in the future, we have that investment to continue to help our kids. The PTO wants to leave a legacy for future students,” says Deana McGonagill, President of the McKinney High School PTO. “The parents worked hard to raise this money, and when we spend it to fund first-in-family or merit or need scholarships,… well, that’s where our money makes a real impact on McKinney and on the lives of our community’s families.”

MHSPTO parents sold spirit wear and food at athletic events to raise funds. The organization is also using part of its membership dues. McGonagill says they had a good fundraising year. As a result, the MHSPTO board decided to fulfill their endowment with MEF this year. McGonagill delivered a check from the MHSPTO to MEF Tuesday afternoon.

“This is how we should use our money: to give back to the community that supports the PTO,” says McGonagill. “We want to partner with MEF because we think they are doing great things for the community. When a PTO partners with MEF, the organization goes out in the community and does something bigger. And it’s an honor for us to partner with MEF and help kids in McKinney.”

“This is a great example of how two organizations that work for MISD children can work together to create a permanent fund that will have a lasting impact,” says Darrell Slabaugh, MEF’s Executive Director. “We congratulate MHSPTO on their fundraising and thank them for supporting MEF’s vision with their scholarships and endowment. Their hard work will help send students to college for generations.”

“McKinney High School wants to be a light in our community and our State. We want to lead by example,” says McGonagill. “When you partner with someone whose goals are similar to yours, you make a bigger impact. Plus, this is a win-win situation: we come up with the funds and MEF does the work; they manage our funds and scholarships. And they do a great job of that.”

For more information about MHS and the MHSPTO, visit the McKinney Independent School District website at www.mckinneyisd.net.

For more information about MEF and its services to McKinney, visit www.MmEeFf.com or call 469.742.6313.