Grant funds orchestra instruments

To the editor:

I would like to congratulate Steve Schaffner, Central High and Junior High School orchestra instructor. He has been awarded a $10,000 Goody's grant. This money will be used to purchase instruments, which will enable those students who could not afford to buy or rent a string instrument the opportunity to participate in a cocurricular program.

Research shows that being part of an extracurricular program encourages students to stay in school, thereby diminishing the dropout rate. This grant will give Schaffner the resources to purchase supplementary instruments in an effort to realize the goals he has set for our district's orchestral program.

Congratulations, Steve, and thank you for all your hard work in applying for this grant in an effort to help more students.

THERESA TAYLOR, Computer Business Teacher, Central High School, Cape Girardeau