Dare to Dream Grant Winners 2026

The Foundation is pleased to announce two winners of $5,000 Dare to Dream grants! The awards support bikes for kindergarten students at Goodview School and quarterly Fun Nights at Winona Middle School.

Each year, the Foundation supports innovation and creativity by offering WAPS employees the opportunity to apply for one $5,000 Dare to Dream grant. Applicants don’t need to follow the Foundation’s normal grant guidelines, but the funded project must benefit WAPS students. Thanks to a generous gift from Fastenal, a second Dare to Dream grant was awarded this year!

Jessica McCann, Kindergarten P.E. Teacher, believes every child deserves the chance to learn something new and experience the joy of riding a bike. Goodview kindergarteners ride bikes to develop balance and coordination, improve confidence, and work toward riding independently. Each bike transitions from a stride style to pedal bike and includes training wheels, an appropriately-sized helmet, an adjustable seat to accommodate student heights, and fun accessories like colored grips, colored seat clamps, and a bike bell.

Matt Krage and Samantha Papenfuss-Krage believe in building a positive school community. Quarterly Fun Nights let Winona Middle School students form connections and have fun beyond normal school hours. Fun Nights include a dance with D.J. as well as activities like 9-square in the air, basketball, spikeball, corn hole, board games, and more. As students gain a positive relationship with middle school, successes increase and behavior issues decrease, allowing students to bring positive feelings and behaviors into high school.