A Note of Awareness: A Student's Request to Support Schools in Redwood City

Written by Brandon Henriquez 

My name is Brandon Henriquez and I’m in 8th grade at McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT) in Redwood City. My journey to music has been a very, very long road and it all started in sixth grade. I started at Kennedy Middle School and I was doubtful about signing up for activities, because I thought I wasn't really good at anything. Despite my hesitation, I signed up for music.

I've gone through hard times in my life, including concern and worry about my identity. Music has been my escape from the real world where there was sometimes too much drama. I found comfort when I was practicing music, so I did it a lot, during lunch and on weekends.  Later, I transferred to McKinley Middle School.

Going to a different music class hit me in the face like a shovel!  So much was different and unexpected; at times, it seemed as if there was too much to bear. Despite the difficult transition, after a while, I learned that EVERYONE is needed in a band, whether it's a major instrument like the drums, or something smaller like the violin or flute. This realization made me feel good and loved. Without ME, the whole school band would sorta collapse, and same goes with anyone else in it.

It was fun to think about, and that made me want to practice more to be better, not just for me, but for everyone. My plans for the future are to be a musician, or possibly a music teacher.

Being in music class also got me into other arts, such as drawing and acting. I’ve been in the school's play, “Fiddler on the Roof," and that too made me realize that everyone is needed, everyone is important, not just me. 

My music experience has also given me the courage to become an activist for things I believe in. After performing in front of hundreds of people on stage, I got used to performing in crowds and turned from being known as the shy kid to a brave social person. Later on, I learned about “The Day of Silence” from some friends at Sequoia High School.

The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools. I was very eager to raise awareness at my school at this event, because a couple of my friends and I have been picked on because of our sexual identity and it was very a hard thing to deal with. I wanted to help stop the bullying. On the day of silence, it started with just a few friends and I, but, by the end of the day, other kids noticed and became aware of it. By the end of the day, you could hear only footsteps in the hallways, which was a very big surprise considering that students are usually loud during passing periods. 

If music class never found me, I don’t know what I would be doing. Music made me feel better about myself, that I’m not a worthless being, that I can do something, and most importantly that I actually love to do things. Music has really made a big impact on my life and to think that all of this started when I first picked up the flute. 

My music experience was made possible by the Instrumental Music Program and support from the Redwood City Education Foundation. The Instrumental Music Program is open to all middle school students in the Redwood City School District. Students can learn to play band instruments, such as flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and percussion, or instruments for orchestra such as violin, viola, and cello. More than half of students use district-owned instruments and could not afford to buy or rent their own. For many low-income students, this is their only opportunity to learn to play an instrument. 

There is a great event coming up that provides funding for music in Redwood City schools -- the 4th of July Parade Run. This family-friendly 5k run and walk kicks off Redwood City’s famous Independence Day celebrations. More information and registration at: www.paraderun.org. 

Proceeds from Parade Run benefit the Redwood City Education Foundation, which has been working since 1983 to enrich and advance education opportunities for all students in the Redwood City School District. 

I hope to see you on the 4th and thanks for reading.