Fritsch Elementary School music teacher Nicole Witkowski’s fifth grade band won the votes this year in the annual Dolan Class Project, put on by Reno-based Dolan Auto Group.
“Teachers deserve our support now more than ever,” Ryan Dolan, CEO of the company, said in a statement. “We are so inspired by their dedication, creativity and resilience, we decided to increase the overall amount and award everyone who entered.”
The company typically distributes $60,000 each year; for 2021, that amount was upped to $100,000, the highest ever annual donation, according to the company. The increase also allowed for more classrooms than ever before to receive a donation.
The grand prize of $10,000 was awarded to Witkowski’s fifth-grade band at Fritsch in Carson City, as voted on by the community. The funds will provide enough instruments for all fifth graders to have an equal opportunity to participate in band, as well as their participation in the annual Band-o-Rama concert in celebration of Music in Our Schools Month, according to the school. The class also plans to give back by donating a portion of their funds to Holiday with a Hero, supporting local law enforcement’s efforts to ensure every child has a happy holiday. The remaining 18 participating classrooms each received $5,000. To participate in the Dolan Class Project, Northern Nevada teachers applied this summer by submitting a brief video giving an overview of a community project they will do with their students as well as explaining how the funds will be used. Yerington Elementary School, Coral Academy, Mark Twain Elementary, Carson Middle School and Reed High School were among several other schools to participate. Dolan Auto Group formed the Dolan Class Project in 2011. Since, the project has transformed into a community partnership that strives to support schools and local organizations.
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