Kenner Teacher Earned Grant for Theater Program
Bonnabel Magnet High School director Lindsey Lanson was named a finalist for a national Voya Unsung Heroes grant.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Lindsey Lanson, the theater department director at Kenner’s Bonnabel Magnet High School, has received a $2,000 Voya Unsung Heroes Grant. She is now a finalist for the program's $25,000 grand prize.
Why it matters
The funding supports Lanson's commitment to providing high-quality theater opportunities for students in a district where over 80% of the population qualifies as economically disadvantaged.
Lanson has secured nearly $300,000 in grants over the last decade to support the program. She serves approximately 50 students annually within a school of 2,000 students.
The players
Lindsey Lanson
She is the theater department director at Bonnabel Magnet High School and was recently named the school's Teacher of the Year.
Bonnabel Magnet High School
This Kenner educational institution serves roughly 2,000 students, with a majority qualifying as economically disadvantaged.
The details
Lanson spends her summers applying for educational grants to fund equipment like stage manager headsets and hand tools, ensuring students can learn professional technical skills without paying fees. She has successfully operated the program without student theater fees for 17 years.
Timeline
2009: Lindsey Lanson began her tenure as theater department director.
Last decade: Lanson accumulated nearly $300,000 in grant funding.
October 2026: Lanson was announced as a Voya Unsung Heroes Grant finalist.
Culture Shift
The reliance on competitive grants to sustain public school arts programs reflects a broader trend of educators bypassing traditional budget constraints to maintain student access. This approach highlights the persistent gap between school funding and the practical costs of specialized vocational training.
The grant allows for the purchase of essential equipment, including headsets and tools, which directly impacts the technical education of local student stage crews. By avoiding student fees, the program ensures that the high-quality arts training remains accessible to all families in the area.
The takeaway
Lanson's success demonstrates that proactive grant applications can effectively sustain arts programming in underfunded districts. Educators in similar positions can utilize summer breaks to secure specialized funding that offsets the need for student fees.
What happens next
The $25,000 grand prize winner for the Voya Unsung Heroes Grant has yet to be named.
Further reading
For more information on how funding resources impact classrooms, visit the Financial Aid section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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