Help Brick Girl Scout, STEM Student Start Music Program For Senior Citizens

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township high school student is looking to start a program that will help local seniors prevent isolation and depression through the power of playing music.

Sofia Gonzales-Trelles, a senior at Brick Township's STEM Academy, is working on her Girl Scout Gold Award and a STEM passion project. The Brick Township Chamber of Commerce is helping her publicize the project, and bring more music to the community.

Gonzales-Trelles is combining her intellectual interest in neuroscience with a creative, hands-on way to bring companionship and healing to residents at the Brick Township Senior Center. She is collecting small percussion instruments and hoping to get a karaoke machine, with the goal of establishing a permanent bi-weekly music program there for residents.

Gonzales-Trelles, who is interested in becoming a neuroscientist, is also an Ambassador Girl Scout from the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. Her research for the STEM component of the project is focusing on neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. Some research has shown how music can help those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease connect with loved ones, and lower stress.

"I have also been part of the music programs throughout my school years and firmly believe that it has a powerful -and sometimes underestimated- protective, healing effect on people," she wrote in a letter to the Chamber.

Gonzales-Trelles said that the project would also give elderly residents time to socialize, potentially lowering rates of isolation and depression and contributing to a better quality of life.

She is collecting small instruments — such as bongos, tambourines, maracas, shakers, egg shakers, and boom whackers — to get the program started, and also to replace any instruments that may break. The wish list is as follows:

• 60 shakers
• 10 sets of Boomwhackers
• 30 tambourines
• 60 sticks
• 50 egg shakers
• 30 bongos
• 40 sets of maracas
• 1 karaoke machine

The Brick Chamber of Commerce Office - 270 Chambers Bridge Rd. Brick, NJ will serve as the donation center. If you have any questions, email info@brickchamber.com