Pepsi Refresh Awards $10K for Field, Pageantry, and Audio Equipment
The official news we’ve all been waiting for is finally in… the WINNERS of the Pepsi Refresh Project have been announced, and the UCHS Music Program is the recipient of a $10,000 grant! Congratulations!
As most of you know, during the month of November, the Music Department competed in the Pepsi Refresh online voting contest, hoping to win $10,000 to buy much needed field show, pageantry and audio equipment. It’s been many years since the Music Program has been able to afford new equipment.
Two of our students, Kimia Nouri (Band) and Jaz Cranford (Colorguard), with the support of the music boosters, submitted the idea. They created a video from footage taken last year by Ellen Goetz, a Colorguard parent, and pictures from various students and parents. On Nov. 1st, the music students put their awesome Facebook and texting powers to work and mounted their campaign. Mr. Brown and the families helped spread the word, asking people to vote “once a day, every day in November!” The students distributed flyers and painted shirts with the voting information. After three days of voting, the rankings were posted and the project was 3rd out of 178! Kimia and Jaz presented their project at the PTSA meeting and got more parent support for their group. Even Principal Olivero jumped in the game, announcing it to the school, and helping the project vault into 1st place. Determined to win, everyone kept voting!
MANY THANKS to all of you who voted for the UCHS Music Department. Their project finished 2nd on Nov. 30th and now they are the proud recipients of a $10,000 grant!
And thank you to Kimia and Jaz for their creativity and dedication to the project and to all the students who jumped in with full enthusiasm. All of their hard work has certainly paid off. Nice job! UC U-Know!
To view the results on the Pepsi Refresh website, go to: www.refresheverything.com/uchsmusic.
UCCA Supports the UCHS Music Department!
The UCHS Music Boosters would like to thank the University City Community Association (UCCA) for their generous donation to the UCHS Music Department. The UCCA Board members recently voted in favor of donating $1,000 to the Music Department. Thank you, UCCA!
The UCHS Music Department receives very little funding from the school district to support its program. In order to offer a high quality, comprehensive music program for the students, the Music Boosters work hard to raise funds for the program during the school year. We rely on help from parents, sponsors, and community supporters. 100% of the funds raised goes directly to the program.
The UCHS Music Boosters are very pleased that the UCCA supports music education in our public schools and recognizes the value of providing quality music and arts programs for our students! The UCCA is a non-profit organization that supports the entire UC community. They sponsor events such as the July 4th celebration, an annual Easter egg hunt, and the holiday tree lighting event. In addition, they provide the lovely banners you see on Governor Drive, organize beautification projects in the community, and publish the UC Newsletter. For more information about the UCCA, go to: http://www.universitycitynews.org.
Target Awards Arts & Culture Grant to the UCHS Music Program
The UCHS Music Boosters would like to thank Target for an Arts and Culture grant of $2000 to support instrumental section coaches. This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income to communities. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million every week.
“At Target, our local grants are making a difference in communities across the country,” said Laysha Ward, President, Community Relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with the UCHS Music Boosters of the UC Centurion Foundation as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen communities where our guests and team members live and work.”
Additionally, Target gives through signature programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families. Programs include:
- Take Charge of Education®, a school fundraising program;
- Target School Library Makeovers, a program that provides year-round volunteer opportunities for Target team members to get involved with their local school;
- Target Field TripSM Grants, a program that helps educators bring learning to life outside the classroom through the distribution of grants;
- Target House®, serves as a home away from home for families of children receiving lifesaving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis. The St. Jude School Program presented by Target, is staffed with accredited teachers and helps patients stay on track academically while undergoing treatments that can last months;
- Target Volunteers, a nationwide network of Target team members, retirees, families and friends who volunteer millions of hours to community projects.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,750 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.
“Find Your Voice” Comes to UC High
UC High hosted “Find Your Voice” during lunch on September 30th. This concert showcased some of the bands from the “Find Your Voice” CD, as well the student band, Funk n’ Awesome. This effort was sponsored by Lloyds Pest Control and KPRI radio station with funds raised through sales of the “Find Your Voice” CD. The District stands to receive up to $175,000 for the VAPA Program. UC High, as host of the concert, received $2,500 for the music program. Read the full article here.
A big thank you to the Funk n’ Awesome band members who put on a good show: Justin Hempsey, Kelten Hemmingway, Stewart Bittle, Paul Sud, Jeremy Kern, Stevie Singh, and Ollie D’Amico.
UCHS Centurion Foundation Awards Music Department Grants
The Music Boosters are pleased to announce that the UCHS Centurion Foundation awarded the Music Program a grant of $750 last spring to buy shirts and supplies for this year’s new Pep Band. This fall, the Centurion Foundation granted $1250 to buy 10 sabers for the Colorguard. The Music Boosters would like to thank the Centurion Foundation for this much needed funding to support and grow the Music Program!
The Centurion Foundation of UCHS is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting the UCHS Athletics Departments and Clubs, students and families. Read about their many contributions and accomplishments, www.uc-centurionfoundation.com/accomplishments.php.