Special to the Leader & Times

The Southern Pioneer Electric Helping Us Give to Society (HUGS) program awarded a $6,000 grant to the Liberal High School Athletics and Activities Program to purchase new camera equipment last week.

The funding will be used to purchase a new camera, lens, lighting setup, and other accessories. The grant is expected to help improve the quality of photos, videos, and social media content, as well as the overall exposure of the students and their activities and achievements.

“Our current equipment is outdated and personally owned,” Chad Friess, Athletic and Activities Director for Liberal High School, said. “Purchasing department-owned equipment will ensure consistent, high- quality coverage for students now and in the future.”

Friess said the new equipment will support all students at Liberal High School who participate in athletics, fine arts, academic activities, and other school programs.

“The HUGS program exists to support our communities and help them grow,” Ruby Terrazas, HUGS team member, said. “We look forward to seeing what the students at Liberal High School produce with this new equipment.

To be considered for a HUGS grant, an organization must demonstrate need in one of the focus areas listed within the program's guidelines. Focus areas include: human needs, education, culture and art, civic and environment. Organizations interested in applying for HUGS grants must meet the outlined criteria found in the program’s guidelines. The program’s guidelines and application can be found on Southern Pioneer Electric’s Web site (www.southerpioneer.net).

Southern Pioneer Electric Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pioneer Electric Cooperative, is headquartered out of Ulysses, Kansas. Southern Pioneer Electric Company has local offices in Liberal and Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Southern Pioneer Electric Company serves approximately 17,200 customers and operates in 10 counties and 34 communities. Southern Pioneer Electric Company's service territory stretches east from Liberal to Medicine Lodge and north to Kingman and back west to Greensburg, Kansas. Southern Pioneer Electric Company is dedicated to providing customers with safe and reliable electric service. For more information about the HUGS program, please visit www.southernpioneer.net.