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My name is Michael Fitch. I am a high school music teacher. Every day I witness first hand the positive benefits of learning music. In the classroom I witness young people learning discipline and focus and improving their minds in a way that will improve their success in all areas. I also witness music serving as an outlet for creativity and a platform for expression. When you write or perform music you express yourself and in doing so you can find peace of mind and equilibrium. I witness students engaging in musical endeavors outside of the classroom as well. At lunchtime in my classroom students gather to play guitar and show each other different songs they have learned. After school students prepare for performances or record songs they have written and musical collaboration allows them to connect with one another. These are all benefits of music in education but perhaps the most valuable aspect is the engagement achieved.
Unfortunately, in the past, I have also observed what happens when young people lack engagement. When they are not provided with the platform to express themselves, the activities to engage them, or the means to achieve peace of mind they will find alternatives. Young people in this situation will often turn to alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Sometimes they simply lack a reason not to.
Music has disappointed me in this regard. There is unfortunately a culture of consumption that is closely associated with music. I want to fight this misconception. I want to support music in education and I want to promote healthy living. For these reasons I have established the Sound Life Scholarship program. The scholarship will be granted to students pursuing post-secondary studies who are passionate about music, have an overall successful academic standing, and who choose to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Knowing that this scholarship is available to them may be enough of a reason for some people to put their music, their studies, and their health first.
The scholarship will be awarded to a 2016 graduate. There will be first, second, and third place awards in the amounts of $1000, $500, and $250 respectively. The recipients will receive the grants once they are enrolled at a post-secondary institution. The fundraising target amount was determined by the award amounts as well as administrative fees.
Anything we raise above and beyond our target amount will allow this scholarship to be available to more schools for more years to come. Please give generously! Let's give a generation a reason to pursue a sound life!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Michael Fitch
Sound Life Scholarship
FAQs
How will it be decided who wins the scholarship?
Partner(recipient) schools will form a selection committee to choose the recipients. The selection committee must be comprised of teachers, administration and support staff.
How can my school apply to be a recipient school?
No additional recipient schools will be selected for the 2015-2016 school year. This is the pilot year and the scholarship will only be available to one recipient school. I have partnered with Lake of Two Mountains High School, where I currently teach music for the startup year of the scholarship. This will allow maximal oversight and will serve as a pilot project to inform future years. The plan is to put together a model of implementation that can then by applied by any school. If you are interested in participating for the 2016-2017 please stay tuned as we will be launching future campaigns once this one has concluded.
What if you exceed your target amount?
Any additional funding will be used for future years and more schools.
The scholarships only add up to $1750. Where does the rest of the money go?
Administrative fees such as registration, fundrazr fees, etc which must be covered. Any additional funds will be used for future years and more schools. All individuals involved are volunteers and do not receive any compensation.
How can you prove that students aren't abusing substances?
We can't. No special inquisitive measures will be taken. The honour system will be used. That being said, multiple letters of recommendation from different sources will be required (dated at the end of the school year) attesting that the applicant has fulfilled the requirements.
What is the money for?
The recipients can use the money as they like. As post-secondary studies are a requirement to qualify as a recipient it is likely that it will be used to help cover tuition and book costs but it could also be used to help recipients pursue musical endeavors while studying.
Do the students who win have to study music after high school?
No. They must demonstrate a passion for music but can be enrolled in any post-secondary program.
What are the eligibility requirements for students?
- Passion for music (Participation in music extra-curricular activities and high performance in music class.)
- Overall successful academic standing
- Commitment to healthy living (Abstention from use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco)
- Pursuing post-secondary education
What do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to change the lives of several people by inspiring them and motivating them with this scholarship. Beyond that I hope to change young people's perceptions and address the notion that substance abuse is normal and acceptable. I also hope to eliminate the misconception that drugs and alcohol are musical accessories.
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