Lisa Bell, Central Floridian of the Week

Memorial Middle School in Orlando could not afford to provide students in their band program instruments to play.

Even the students' parents could not afford to rent instruments, but after news reports on the students' plight, Central Floridians stepped up and donated 125 instruments and $11,000 in cash to the program.

The cash donations were used to start fixing up the donated instruments.

Thanks to the donations, Memorial's sixth-grade band class has become fully equipped, and they were even able to send some surplus instruments to other schools in need.

Michael Simmons, the school's band teacher, has a more typical problem for a middle school band teacher: Getting eager novices to focus on the basics.

"They were so excited," said Dr. Stefanie Shames, the school principal. "Mr. Simmons taught them how to put the reed on the instrument, and how to line it up, so they would get the right sound, and they all laughed when they heard the first sounds, but you could tell they were just so happy."

Principal Shames told News 13 the school was planning a spring concert so the kids could showcase their talent and new instruments.

That is why everyone who donated to Memorial Middle School is our Central Floridian of the Week.

 To see more this or other Central Floridians of the Week, go to News 13 On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 313.

 
Click here to comment on this story.