Catalysts students wanted to rock! And now they can.
The Bollier Family Foundation gave a grant to Catalyst teachers for 11 electric guitar kits with accompanying cases and stands. The students have already started building their guitars (with Teachers John Niebergall and Jake Pauly handling the electronics).
“Knowing that this is mine and that I made this is going to feel really good, the feeling of accomplishment,” said Catalyst 10th-grader Riley Lewis.
Niebergall, who applied for the grant, said his co-worker, Pauly, has been a huge help with the project.
“Because of Jake's guitar background, he jumped in to build a guitar and coach the students,” Niebergall said. “He is now in the process of writing a grant to get acoustic guitars for a music class he has proposed. With funding, we look forward to building more guitars and giving more students the opportunity to learn to play.”
Pauly noted that sharing music with students offers incredible benefits.
“As we know, learning and playing music in adolescence enhances cognitive abilities and promotes social cohesion, emotional expression, fosters creativity and discipline crucial for academic and personal success,” Pauly said. “And what better way to kick this program off with instruments built by the students themselves!”