This spring, music teacher Samantha Pugia wrote a grant application to the Foundation for new risers for Wealthy Elementary. In the past, Wealthy had to borrow risers for concerts and students weren’t able to rehearse using them. Pugia says it’s given students a boost, physically and mentally.
“This grant made a huge difference for students at concert time,” Pugia says. “Not only were students much more prepared to walk on and off risers, but they were also much quicker because they were comfortable and efficient!
“I had many students who normally have performance anxiety who got up on stage for this concert that would not have in the past. Students have expressed in concert feedback/assessment how confident they felt.”
And it’s not just Wealthy that’s benefiting. “It was much easier for Lakeside and Breton to know they would have the 5th riser they needed transported to them,” Pugia says. “Sometimes it has been up in the air due to how high the needs are for performances this time of year.
“Thank you so much for this grant. We are so grateful!”
