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Class Project Becomes Reality For Laona Woman

Pexels.com KML

What started out as a Nicolet College class assignment for a Laona student last spring will turn into several new basketball courts next summer.

Mary Thornton graduated last week with a degree in Alcohol and other Drug Abuse counseling. During her coursework, Thornton was tasked with writing a grant proposal for a class project. It wasn’t required that students actually submit the application, but she decided to give her project a chance. She envisioned a new basketball facility in Laona. Ken Krall talks with her about it...

Thornton reports getting an "A" on the class project.

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What started out as a Nicolet College class assignment for a Laona student last spring will turn into several new basketball courts next summer.

Mary Thornton graduated last week with a degree in Alcohol and other Drug Abuse counseling. During her coursework, Thornton was tasked with writing a grant proposal for a class project. It wasn’t required that students actually submit the application, but she decided to give her project a chance. She envisioned a new basketball facility in Laona.

She says some old tennis courts needed some T.L.C., so her project was to get a grant and convert those courts to a basketball facility for young and older people..

"I could see the little ones shooting and shooting and not reaching the big baskets, sort of giving up. So it was like, 'what if we had a multi-level court where they could make some baskets, gain some self-esteem..."

She contacted the chain store Loews Charitable and Education Foundation about a grant, and was successful. She was able to partner with the Laona Quarterback Club to move the project forward. She says there will be three courts and one for the little tykes. She says she wants to have 3-on-3 tournaments there.

Thornton says she got the blessing of the town board and school to do the work. They hope to have the courts done next year.

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