Leading into the new school year 21st Century Fox and Give a Note Foundation came together once again to present a new grant opportunity for 20 schools. The “MusicEd Idol” competition was announced last July, and schools were invited to submit nominations for “Music Education Idols” who inspired them to dream big and follow their passion for music.
Students, parents, and the general public nominated music educators by completing a short application and including a video testimonial describing how the music teacher inspired them to discover their creative potential. The stories were definitely inspiring. The influence of music educators around the nation made a positive impression on many students, and the bright light these teachers have been in their students’ lives was apparent. View 21st Century Fox’s video congratulating the winners.
Following is the list of the 20 “MusicEd Idols” whose school music programs will receive $1,000 grants courtesy of 21st Century Fox and Give a Note Foundation:
Teacher
School
City
State
Rosa Rabinovich
N. S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach K-8
Sunny Isles Beach
Florida
Lynette Carr-Hicks
Uniondale High School
Uniondale
New York
Rich Guillen
Arlington High School
LaGrangeville
New York
Daryl Yasay
West Orange High School
Winter Garden
Florida
Kendra Martin
Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School
Boston
Massachusetts
Brian Langdon
Boyertown High School
Boyertown
Pennsylvania
Jennifer Jimenez
South Miami Senior High School
Miami
Florida
Deb Schaaf
Jane Addams Middle School
Seattle
Washington
Lori Lovell
Maitland Middle School
Maitland
Florida
Colin O’Dwyer
James Otis Elementary School
Boston
Massachusetts
Mitzi Lundy
Elzie D. Patton Elementary School
Mt. Juliet
Tennessee
Christopher Hanson
San Marcos High School
San Marcos
Texas
Bridget P. Speranza
Munster High School
Munster
Indiana
Daniel E. Graf
Eastport South Manor High School
Manorville
New York
Emmanuel Toledo
Ninth Grade Academy, Lawrence HS
Lawrence
Massachusetts
Benjamin Davis
East Aurora Middle School
East Aurora
New York
Jesse Espinosa
Waltrip High School
Houston
Texas
Ryan Solero
Tenth Grade Academy, Lawrence HS
Lawrence
Massachusetts
Lorrie Turner
Irmo Middle School
Irmo
South Carolina
Greg Monsma
Butler High School
Louisville
Kentucky
This latest round of grants continues a five-year collaborative relationship supporting music education between Give a Note Foundation and 21st Century Fox.
“We appreciate the continued support of 21st Century Fox to reach more students in more schools with the power of music,” said Jane Mell Balek, Give a Note Chief Executive Officer. “This is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on great music programs, which benefit students in all U.S. schools. These stories cannot be told enough, and we encourage communities to support their local school’s music programs and the teachers who make them possible.”
Since 2011, 21st Century Fox businesses have donated more than $1 million to underfunded music programs in schools across the country, as part of the company’s commitment to support the next generation of artists and creators.
“We were so inspired by the students who submitted nominations and the music educators who motivate them every day to work hard and achieve their dreams,” said Shira Oberlander, Executive Director of Social Impact for 21st Century Fox. “We are thrilled to support these teachers in their work to make a difference in students’ lives.”
Of the 20 winning music educators, these five have been selected to attend the 2016 NAfME National In-Service Conference (November 10-13) in Grapevine, TX, as VIP guests and will take part in a panel discussion on how to help students reach their full potential:
- Lynette Carr-Hicks (Uniondale, NY)
- Lorrie Turner (Irmo, SC)
- Christopher Hanson (San Marcos, TX)
- Ryan Solero (Lawrence, MA)
- Emmanuel Toledo (Lawrence, MA)
Individuals are encouraged to continue sharing their own stories on their personal social media channels such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, using the hashtag #MusicEdIdol.
To learn more about Give a Note Foundation, visit www.giveanote.org. To learn more about 21st Century Fox Social Impact, visit impact.21CF.com.
About Give a Note Foundation
Since 2011, Give a Note Foundation has conducted national awareness campaigns and raised funds to support and strengthen music education programs across the U.S. The programs have reached millions of parents and students and provided more than $1.2 million in direct grants to schools. Learn more about Give a Note Foundation Help give the gift of music! Text “MusicEd GAN” to 20222 to donate $10! Message & Data Rates May Apply. Details: http://www.giveanote.org/donate
About 21st Century Fox
21st Century Fox is the world’s premier portfolio of cable, broadcast, film, pay TV and satellite assets spanning six continents across the globe. Reaching more than 1.8 billion subscribers in approximately 50 local languages every day, 21st Century Fox is home to a global portfolio of cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX Sports, Fox Sports Networks, National Geographic Partners, STAR India, 28 local television stations in the U.S. and more than 350 international channels; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and a 50% ownership interest in Endemol Shine Group. The Company also holds a 39.1% ownership interest in Sky, Europe’s leading entertainment company, which serves 21 million customers across five countries. For more information about 21st Century Fox, please visit www.21CF.com.
