Discovery Intermediate was one of the schools chosen this year for Addition Financial’s “Renovate to Educate” program for the winning teachers in Osceola and Orange County, with a classroom remodel done in collaboration with interns from Seminole State College.
This year the renovation was done for the school’s Pantry, which is the section of the school organized and operated mostly through the principal, Gary Dunn, and its social worker, Reyna Astacio. Dunn said he was ecstatic to hear the news from the district and Addition Financial that Discovery was named Osceola’s winner for 2026.
The collaborator’s challenge included incorporating Discovery’s astronaut logo to create a room that was “out of this world.”
How can a student learn, utilize, and thrive if their basic needs are not met? When a student is struggling at home or even worried about if their family can afford school supplies or clothing — this all affects how a student learns. Or how about a student’s ability to properly be educated if they are hungry? In simple terms, they can’t. The concept of The Pantry is to help students that are less fortunate and bring food and help to families that need it. From groceries, to backpacks, and clothing these students can finally get more support to better their mental health and future.
“Mental Health is not something we were passionate about 20 years ago, but we are trying to make a difference for students today,” Dunn said. “This was all done for the kids, and the future of mental health for our students is Number One.”
