MUSIC GRANT — The musical education students at Indian Creek Middle School are receiving is being helped thanks to the school acquiring a a $500 MAC Grant from McDonald’s. The grant is being used toward the purchase of new miniature keyboards. Taking part in the awarding of the grant were, from left, Joey Castro, operations supervisor, McDonald’s; Brooke Scott, general manager, McDonald’s, Wintersville location; and Kent Howell, ICMS music educator. -- Contributed

MINGO JUNCTION — A $500 MAC Grant from McDonald’s is helping students in the Indian Creek Middle School music program hit all of the right notes.

The grant plays a key role in the program’s acquisition of new miniature piano keyboards that will aid students as they learn to make sweet melodies inside the classroom.

Music educator Kent Howell explained this is the first time he has applied for the funding, which will help to purchase approximately a half-dozen keyboards for his music students.

“It will help the fifth-grade general music students who don’t join the band and gives them an opportunity to see if they want to join,” Howell stated.

He noted students work independently using online tutorials.

“The fifth-graders have music as a nine-week rotation and learn to read notes on the treble and bass staff,” Howell commented. “Then, they apply it to the keyboard and put practice into movement.”

Howell began the program in 2021, receiving a Jefferson County Educational Service Center Best Practice Grant to purchase similar equipment.

His dilemma, however, was there were a dozen keyboards on hand but his class yielded between 18 and 25 students.

Howell learned he received the MAC Grant prior to the school’s holiday break at Christmas.

He stated this will help better serve students in his class, as well as in additional ways.

“We have a club day once a month and I added a piano club with 13 students,” he said. “The keyboards will be used during those sessions. It gives them an exposure to music in class and you don’t have to join a group.”

Howell has seen students become inspired to continue their musical performances on the field and stage.

“I’ve had several kids decide to join the middle-school band and continue the program all the way through high school,” he exclaimed, noting he is grateful for the grant and is encouraging other teachers to apply so as to benefit their classrooms, too.

“I’m excited for the students and I’d like to teach a class instead of having independent students,” Howell concluded. “I’m extremely excited and this wouldn’t have happened without the support of the grants.”

Brooke Scott, general manager of the Wintersville McDonald’s, stated there are 13 stores in the Tri-State Area that participated in the grant program. She said she was pleased to be able to present this award to Howell.

“I’m honored to give the grant to him,” Scott said of Howell. “The MAC Grants program is part of McDonald’s long-standing commitment to education.”

Joey Castro, operations supervisor for McDonald’s, agreed.

“I’m excited to participate in the grant program and to be intertwined with the community,” Castro added.