A recent Gardner News story illustrated the latest round of grants provided to applicants from the Gardner Public Schools system through the Williams-Rockwell Educational Gift Fund. It was set up seven years ago by the sale of the Norman Rockwell painting, “Willie Gillis in Convoy,” which had been in the possession of the high school since 1951.
It’s interesting to note just how Gardner High School was able to acquire a Rockwell original in the first place. Actually, it came about exactly 70 years ago this week.
America’s favorite illustrator was a one-time acquaintance of Gardner High School Principal F. Earl Williams during the 1940s. When the two renewed their friendship one day during February vacation week in 1951, Rockwell presented Williams with his original work of art known as “Willie Gillis in Convoy.”
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GARDNER An original Norman Rockwell painting that hung for years outside the principal’s office in Gardner High School continues to be the gift that keeps on giving.
Members of the Williams-Rockwell Educational Gift Fund Committee met on March 1 to distribute this year’s round of grants to applicants from the Gardner Public Schools system.
The committee distributed more than $190,000 for 16 various projects, which will take place over the remainder of the year and beyond.
The fund, which was established in 2015, stipulates that any grant funding must be split evenly between arts and general educational purposes.
The largest amount awarded from the fund this year went to Gardner High School Band Director Doug Lepisto, who received $100,000 for renovations to the school’s Landry Auditorium.
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