Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School students got the holidays started early with a surprise gift from Citizens Bank: $16,000 worth of instruments! The gift was part of Citizens’ effort to invest in Pittsburgh-area arts and culture.
“One of things that we’ve been doing is really investing in the communities that we work and live in,” said Tammy Bey, Citizens Bank’s Community Development Market Manager for Western Pennsylvania. Sto-Rox School District is just one part of Citizens Bank’s generosity. The bank is investing $100,000 in 12 local community organizations and schools.
“Arts and culture is something that we want to invest in,” said Bey, “because it allows those students to be free and express themselves in ways that haven’t been able to before.”
That sentiment was echoed by Macrina Forrest Holtz, a Branch Manager of a nearby Citizens Bank in Kennedy Township – and – a former clarinet player and singer in high school.
“I think it’s so special what Citizens is doing,” she said, “and I just know what an impact this really makes.”
Suellen Engelhard, Jr./Sr. High School Band Director, was blown away by the donation and relished the impact it had on its students.
“Oh my gosh, it’s amazing!” she exclaimed as students unboxed and unwrapped their new instruments. “The joy. Did you see the joy? The kids, they’re like, ‘(the instruments) so shiny!’”
It was a team effort - starting with someone who knows a little bit about teams - Emotional Support Teacher and Middle School Football Coach Lauren Ferragonio.
“Tammy is one of my long-time teammates, from when we played together on the Pittsburgh Passion (Women’s Football Team),” she explained. “When Tammy called me and said her job at Citizens was going to provide new instruments...I got her in touch with Miss Engelhard and got the ball rolling.”
For Ferragonio – a former violin player – the bank’s gesture brought back fond memories.
“I just remember when I was a kid and I got my first instrument, and how cool it was – and fun – to see kids get something brand new,” said Ferragonio. “Just to see the excitement in the kids’ faces today, was awesome.”
Engelhard said the music department was in need of a boost, in this donation came at a critical time.
“The instruments we have are functional, but they’re old. No doubt about it,” she said. “To have new (instruments), and not repairing, and repairing, and repairing...it’s going to last.”
She believes in what the future will bring for Sto-Rox, thanks in large part to Citizens’ help.
“Our band is going to grow.”