Keystone Heights High School’s marching band received an $8,375 grant from the Lake Area Region Kiwanis Keystone Heights-Melrose on Thursday, April 16, at the Keystone Heights Methodist Church.

Several enthusiastic marching band members, alongside Keystone Heights High School principal Laurie Burke and their dedicated marching band teacher, proudly accepted the award.

The grant is essential to fulfilling the goal of acquiring new band uniforms. The total investment required for the outfits is $60,000. Thus far, the school has secured $8,375 to move closer to the objective. Each student’s uniform costs approximately $800.

They are committed to raising the remaining funds to ensure every band member has the attire they deserve.

"Well, I am so thankful to the Kiwanis Club and support of our band and our entire school,” Burke said. “Also, I'm super-proud of our band students and the accomplishments that they are making, which are just growing bigger and better every day.”

Justin Coker, KHHS band director Justin Coker said: "Three students went from District 1 solo and [then] to perform at the State Solo Ensemble NPA, and two of them got excellence along with one student who plays a grade seven; he got a superior with distinction."

According to Scott Slater, a Kiwanis member, 88.4% of music students achieve or perform better in school than 60.4% of non-musical students.