East Middle School welcomed Ernie Boch Jr. last week for a special visit, with the car dealership magnate stopping by on behalf of his Music Drives Us organization to donate 50 ukuleles to East and other Brockton Public Schools.
The donation was made possible thanks to the organization's instrument grant, which directly supports schools in need of instruments to begin a new music program or support an existing one. The majority of the 50 brand new ukuleles donated last week will remain at East to support its music program, while others will be distributed to elementary schools in Brockton to help students who will one day attend East build a foundational skillset on the instrument that they can expand upon during their time at East.
To welcome Boch and his team, East students performed a song using bucket drums, and invited key leaders including Superintendent Priya Tahiliani, School Committee Members Tim Sullivan and Judy Sullivan as well as Mayor Robert Sullivan.