Student musicians joined educators on stage Oct. 23 as State Farm representatives present a check to Kent ISD to fund the Rock Orchestra Arts Advocacy Project.
The grant will help orchestra students and their directors embark on a series of music activities, from performances, music camps and a daylong institute, to inspire arts participation and youth leadership in schools with scarce resources and communities with high poverty rates. Activities will be shared through social media, while the project and curriculum will be available through the Kent ISD website.
Kent ISD is one of 65 community organizations to receive a service-learning, youth-led grant across the United States and Canada. The 65 grant projects will receive a total of more than $3.7 million in funding through the State Farm Youth Advisory Board.
“We are incredibly thrilled that State Farm Youth Advisory Board has generously awarded Lowell orchestra students with dollars that will support a powerful, student-led service learning project,” said Lowell Superintendent Greg Pratt. “I can’t wait to see what our students will accomplish this year and how they will benefit others.”
Kent ISD Superintendent Kevin Konarska said he was surprised and “pleased” that the Youth Advisory Board would support our schools with an award two years in a row.
“With last year’s project sponsoring community gardens at two urban districts and this year advocating for the arts through Lowell’s orchestra, State Farm is making a real impact in Kent ISD,” Konarska continued. “We are grateful for this recognition of great work being done here, and for the financial support. I have no doubt these students willmake you proud.”
“State Farm supports service learning because it integrates service to the community into classroom curriculum using a hands-on approach to mastering subject material while fostering civic responsibility,” said State Farm Spokeswoman Angie Rinock. “The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is a prime example of State Farm’s commitment to education, our community and our youth.”
The State Farm Youth Advisory Board has provided $28 million in grant money since its inception in 2006, empowering youth to implement service learning in 509 communities.
