Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama presented a $10,000 “Be Healthy School Grant” to W. S. Harlan Elementary School in Lockhart this week.

The school sought the grant for a ““Building Relationships Through Basketball” program.

Principal Joy Colvin said, “The Blue Cross/Blue Shield Be Healthy Grant awarded to Coach Zessin and W.S. Harlan is a win for both the community and our school. Great things are happening at W.S. Harlan and Lockhart, and this is another example.

“Students and parents will have access to the outdoor basketball court at specified times after school and on weekends,” she said. “We are proud to be able to provide them the opportunity to utilize part of our school campus for healthy activities.”

In the grant application, WSH coach Tyler Zessin wrote,

“With the addition of the new goals and the improvement of the concrete area, students, family members, and community members will have a place to play basketball, participate in other physical activities, develop relationships, and improve their overall well being.

“100 percent of the $10,000 requested will be used towards improving the outdoor basketball court area by purchasing four new goals and increasing/improving the current concrete playing area. This area will be available to students, parents, and community members.”