During fall of 2021 Vernon Middle School music teacher Olivia Wilson-Freesmeier submitted a funded Marion School Foundation grant to purchase keyboards for the Vernon Middle School General Music classroom allowing a full class to be able to play at one time. Grant funds helped the Vernon music program to purchase seven keyboards.
In a letter of support from Vernon Principal Mr. Cochran, “All students in both 5th and 6th grades will benefit from this important purchase. Due to the age of equipment, several of (keyboards) are no longer in working order and are too old to be repaired. Unfortunately, our current budget would not be able to support this purchase.”
Per a final grant report from Mrs. Wilson- Freesmeier, “It has impacted my classroom in a huge way! Some of my smaller classes don’t have to share pianos, and it is wonderful!”
When asked about unexpected benefits from this program we learned that “seeing the excitement and joy of watching students play alone is amazing, they love it!” The middle school music program plans to always utilize a piano unit within the curriculum.
The Marion Foundation’s grant program provides teachers an opportunity to receive funding for projects that benefit students in the Marion Independent School District. Grants are made possible because of generous contributions the Foundation receives throughout the year from both businesses and individuals as well as a number of educational funds that are invested with the Foundation for long-term benefit.